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THE PEAYEE 



OP 



THADDEUS HYATT 

TO 
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 

IN BEHALF OF KANSAS, 

ASKING FOR A 

Postponement of all the Land Sales in that Territory, 

AND FOR OTHER RELIEF; 

TOGETHER WITH 

CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER DOCUMENTS SETTING FORTH 
ITS DEPLORABLE DESTITUTION FROM THE 

DROUGHT AND FAMINE. 
Submitted under oathj^October 29, 1860. 






WASHINGTON: 
HENRY POLKINHORN, PRINTER. 

1860. 



CONTENTS, 



Page 

Prefatory affidavit 4 

Letter to the President of the United States, October 29, 1860 5 

Do do do.. 16 6 

Do do do 8 

Letter to the Secretary of the Interior, October 16, 1860 9 

Do do do. . . .24, 1860 10 

Letter to the Secretary of War, October 24, 1860 9 

Letter to Professor Henry, October 18, 1860 1] 

Reply of Professor Henry, and report on the drought in Kansas 11 

Reports from Shawnee county 17 

Breckinridge 26 

Linn 32 

Anderson 37 

Allen 39 

Bourbon 41 

Waubunsee 43 

Osage 45 

Coffee 46 

Miscellaneous testimony for counties of Butler, Hunter, Ottoe, &c.. 53 

Extracts from letters 56 

Story of a poor family 58 

Letter from Black-Jack 60 

Appeal of Highland Presbytery 61 

Extract from Philadelphia " Press" on suffering in Kansas 63 

Concluding appeal to President Buchanan 65 



/ 



District of Columbia, \ 

City and County of WasJmigton. ) 

I hereby certify, that, on this 29th day of Octoher, A. D. 
1860, before the subscriber, a Notary Public in and for the 
county of Washington in the District of Columbia, personally 
appeared Thaddeus Hyatt, of the city of New York, and 
made oath that the statements hereinafter set forth are true 
to the best of his knowledge and belief; that he has no pecu- 
niary interest in the question involved ; and that this prayer 
is not made for any other purpose than for the relief of the 

unfortunate people of Kansas. 

Thaddeus Hyatt. 

Subscribed and sworn before me, this twenty-ninth 
[seal.] day of October, in the year one thousand eight 
hundred and sixty. 

JOHN S. HOLLINGSHEAD, 

Notary Public. 



LETTBES OF THADDEUS HYATT 

Addressed to the President, the Secretary of War, 
AND THE Secretary of the Interior. 



Washington, Odoher 29, 1860. 

To President Buchanan: 

Sir- As your verbal reply to my commumcations [see 
infra, A 1, A 2, A 3] of the 16tli instant gave nie no 
positive assurance that tlie land sales in Kansas will be 
postponed; and as your failure to give me this assurance 
seemed to rest upon a necessity for more authoritative and 
formal data for official action, I have delayed my departure 
from Washington in order to throw into a more convmcmg 
and satisfactory shape the materials in my possession. In 
addition to my own memoranda, I have also sent commu- 
nications to the War Department and to the Secretary of 
the Interior asking information, as appears m the copy 
herewith submitted. [See infra, B and C] I have as yet 
received no reply from those Departments. On the 18th 
instant I addressed a communication to Professor Henry, ot 
the Smithsonian Institution, the reply to which and my own 
letter accompany this. [See infra, D and E.] It will be 
seen that his report exactly harmonizes with all the other , 

testimony. , 

That your Excellency may understand the value o± tne 
array of facts which I herewith present under oath, permit 
me to say, that to collect them my journey through^ Kansas 



6 THE DESTITUTION IX KANSAS. 

covered nearly one thousand miles, and occupied twenty-fivo 
days ; that rising of two thousand persons met together at a 
series of meetings held in the counties mentioned below, the 
most of whom I saw, and whose statements I heard ; that 
letters and petitions have been sent to me on behalf of the 
sufferers, signed by over eight hundred persons, and repre- 
senting twice as many thousands; and that the counties 
already reported by organized committees with whom I am 
in communication, embrace nearly the whole region of Kan- 
sas south of the Kaw river, who are looking for relief to my 
efforts in their behalf, as fully appears in what follows. 

That my present petition in behalf of these suffering people 
may be so moderate and reasonable as to command a positive 
and immediate assurance from the Executive tljat the whole 
of the threatened land sales shall be at once postponed, I ask 
respectfully in their name, that your Excellency will grant 
a contingent and temporary postponement of ninety days, 
to enable me still further to accumulate proof upon proof of 
the utterly impoverished condition of the people. 

With the greatest deference to your Excellency, let me 
say that an array of facts such as is now presented b}^ me 
here, and under oath, would, if presented in a Court of 
Chancery, be sufficient for obtaining an injunction in any 
case of a parallel character. 

Yours, &c., respectfully, 

THADDEUS HYATT. 



Al. 

Washington, D. C, October 16, 1860. 
To James Buchanan, 

President of the United States : 
Sir : Having just returned from the Territory of Kansas, 
where I have been an eye- witness to the deplorable and 



THE DESTITUTIOK IN KANSAS. 7 

starving condition of tliat scorched and famine-stricken land, 
I come to implore of the Executive, as an act of clemency in 
behalf of its suffering inhabitants, that all Government lands 
now offered for sale in that Territory may be withheld from 
market, and more especially those lands embraced in what 
is known as the New York Indian Ecserve, (Proclamation 
No. 667.) 

You need be informed, sir, of but half the desolations and 
heart-rending scenes I have witnessed among that heroic and 
industrious, but unfortunate people, to arouse your utmost 
sympathies. 

Thousands of once thrifty and prosperous American citi- 
zens are now perishing of want. Winter is upon them ; of 
clothing they are nearly bereft ; food they have not to last 
them through the cold season that is approaching. Of over 
a hundred thousand people upon Kansas soil six months ago, 
at least one fourth or one third have left ; of the remainder 
it is safe to say that forty thousand at this moment see 
nothing but exodus or starvation at the end of the sixty 
days now just before them ; from ten to twenty thousand 
look with only despairing eyes upon November ; thousands 
cannot subsist a month longer unaided ; other thousands are 
living upon the little which the neighbors deprive themselves 
of to give to them — neighbors equally unfortunate, and 
with whom the starvation is merely a question of but a few 
days longer ; while still other thousands, if not at once 
relieved, must perish from hunger or the diseases that follow 
in its train. Some have already died, others are daily dying ; 
while the hours grow darker and the days wax longer for 
the living to whom relief comes not, and whose eyes are 
aching with watchings for the succor that delays. 

In confirmation of these frightful statements, I refer your 
Excellency to the accompanying extracts from my diary 
while in Kansas recently, and from numerous letters sent 
to me from various districts of the famine-land. 

Had the blood of this poor people in 1860 been as valuable 



8 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

for coinage into votes as it was in 1856, yoiir department 
would have long since been made aware of their miseries, 
and it would not have remained for the discharge of a mere 
mechanical duty to have brought to your notice the sickening 
fact that the mere performance of the duty was in its terrible 
workings a practical cruelty, such as no Despotism on earth 
would intentionally be guilty of, and such as, being once 
brought to the notice of your department, it cannot but 
rejoice to have escaped committing. 

Commending these facts to your careful consideration, I 
have the honor, sir, to subscribe myself, 
Yery respectfully, yours, 

THADDEUS HYATT. 



A 2. 

Washington, D. C, October 16, 1860. 
To James Buchanan, 

President of the United States: 

Sir : As the condition of Kansas admits of no delay, I 
have to request that the extracts herewith submitted for 
your Excellency's inspection — of which I cannot make 
copies in time for you to-day — may be returned to me this 
afternoon, together with your action thereon, as I leave in 
the morning for the East, to raise funds for the relief of these 
people. 

I Avill, however, furnish you with copies of these and 
other documents, to be left on file, if desired. 

Very respectfully, yours, 

THADDEUS HYATT. 



TnE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 



A 3. 



Washington, D. C, October 1(3, 1860. 

Hon. Jacob Thompson, 

Secretary of the Interior : 

Sir: In ray interview with the President, as I have 
already informed you, yesterday, ho desired me to procure 
from yon the following data, viz : 

1st. What amount of lands are offered for sale in (the New 
York Indian Eeservation) Kansas ? 

2d. What is the urgency of the necessity for the sale ? 

By furnishing these data, and more especially by your 
favorable consideration of the accompanying appeal, and 
your favorable recommendation in the premises, you will 
perform an act of humanity, that will fill the hearts of thou- 
sands with gratitude towards yourself and the administration 
— while all the people, despite the asperity of party strife, 
will join in approbation of the act. 

I have the honor to be, yours, sir,respectfiilly, 

THADDEUS HYATT. 



B. 

Washington, October 21, 18G0. 
Hon. John B. Floyd, 

Secretary of War: 

Sir-; Being about to furnish the President with some sta- 
tistics in reference to the unprecedented drought Avhich lias 
afflicted Kansas Territory for more than fourteen months, I 
have to request that you will favor me with replies to the 
following queries, viz : 

1st. What amount of rain has fallen in that Territory du- 
ring the last fourteen months ? 



10 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

2d, "What has been the state of the atmosphere ? 

Together with such comments as you may deem proper to 
submit as to the causes of the existing famine in said Terri- 
tory. 

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, 

TEADDEUS HYATT. 



C. 

Washington, October 24, 1860. 
Hon. Jacob Thompson, 

Secretary of the Interior: 

SiE: Will you please answer the following queries? I 

wish to lay them before the President in the matter of the 

present application which I have made for the relief of the 

settlers in Kansas. 

lat. What is the present population of Kansas as appears 

upon your records, county by county; when taken; and 

state the date when taken? 

2d. AVhat amount of corn and provisions were raised last 
year, county by county ; when taken ; date when taken ? 

3d. What amount of corn and provisions were raised this 
year, county by county ; when taken ; date when taken ? 

4th. What amount of corn and provisions have the people 
on hand for the coming winter, county by county ; when 
taken ; date when taken ? 

6th. What amount of money and moveable wealth was 
there in Kansas, and how distributed, county by county; 
when taken ; date when taken ? 

6th, What amount of public lands are now offered, or 
about to be offered, for sale in said Territory, in what local- 
ities, and date of sales ? 

By furnishing the above from your census returns, &a, 
you will much oblige, &c.. 

Very respectfully, 

THADDEUS HYATT. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 11 



THE DROUGHT IN KANSAS. 

D. — Thaddeus Hyatt to Professor Henry, Secretary of the 
Smithsonian Institution. 

Washington, Octoher 18, 1860. 

Sir: Being about to furnish President Buchanan with 
some statistics in reference to the unprecedented drought 
which has afflicted Kansas Territory for more than fourteen 
months past, I have to request that you will favor me with 
replies to the following c|ueries, viz : 

1st. What has been the average fall of rain in that Terri- 
tory for the last ten years? 

2d. What amount has fallen during the last fourteen 
months ? 

Together with such comments as you may deem proper to 
submit as to the causes of the existing famine in said Ter- 
ritory. 

By so doing, you may contribute something to the relief 
of suffering thousands, and assist his Excellency in the dis- 
charge of an important dut}^ 

I am, sir, very respectfully, yours, 

THADDEUS HYATT. 
Prof. Henry, Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 



E. — Report of Professor Henry, furnished in reply to the re- 
quest of Thaddeus Hyatt. 

Smithsonian Institution, 
Washinrjton, D. C, Octoher 25, 1860. 
Dear Sir: In answer to your letter of the 18th instant, I 
send you herewith — 

The mean fall of rain for every month at Forts AtJiinson, 



12 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

Leavenworth, Riley, and Scott, from the Army Meteorological 
Observations. 

The amount of rain at Burlingame and Manhattan, during 
a number of months in 1858, 1859 and 1860 ; at Neosho 
Falls in 1859 and 1860 ; and at Gardner from April to 
August, 1860, from our OAvn records. 

Also from our records, remarks on the drought in Kansas 
from the Meteorological Registers of Gr. F. Meriam, at 
Gardner, from April to September, 1860, and from the 
Register of B. F. Goss, at Neosho Falls, from July 1860. 

It is evident from tlie facts thus furnished, that a severe 
drought has prevailed during the past season in Kansas 
Territory. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

JOSEPH HENRY, Secretary. 
Thaddeus Hyatt. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 



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14 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS 

Uodracts from the Register of G. F. Merriam., of Gardner, 
Kansas, for the year 1860. 

April. — The first half of the month has been a continua- 
tion of the dry weather which has prevailed to a great extent 
since the 25th of September, 1859. 

20th, Last night a heavy dew fell — the first this spring_ 
Heretofore there has not a particle of dew fallen ; the air has 
been too dry. 

May. — 3d. Thunder-shower earlj'- this morning. Only a 
trifle of water fell at this place, but a belt a mile and one-half 
in width, running from southwest to northeast, and five or 
six miles southeast of here, was almost deluged. I was told 
to-da}'- that so much water fell that the dry ravines were 
filled with running water three feet deep. At least five or 
six inches of water must have fallen to produce such a result 
in the present state of the soil. 

The last day of this month, I learned, there were very 
heavy rains to the westward of us, extending to within eight 
miles of us. The prospect for a really good rain here looks 
now as far in the future as ever. Farmers have good cause 
to be discouraged at the long continued drought, for their 
crops at present promise a total failure. 

June. — ith. We have no dews of any account. In fact, we 
have had but one or two thus far this year that would wet a 
person's feet by walking in the grass. Previous experience 
has been the reverse. 

July. — Thermometer, in open air, on the 8th and 17th, at 
100 deg.; 20th, 101 deg.; 18th, 104 deg.; 7th, 9th, 15th, and 
21st, 105 deg. Mean of the month, at 2 p. m., 95.5, The 
7th — very hot day — by far the hottest one of the season ; the 
mercury ran up to 130 deg, on being exposed to the sun's 
rays 



THE DESTITUTION" IN KANSAS. 15 

81st. The past month has been the hottest I ever saw. 
The ground is parched ; corn suffers iDadl j, and unless we soon 
get rain, all the corn planted early will amount to nothing. 
Scores of farmers are discouraged, and leaving the country. 
Our prospects for a had crop are good. Wheat is harvested, 
and averaged from two to ten bushels per acre ; but such as 
there is, is of a first rate quality. Potatoes promise no 
return ; oats are almost a total failure, and the same of all 
other grains and vegetables. 

Many of the best wells are failing, and some are entirely 
dry. The very best springs only, which reach the top of the 
ground, afford any water. 

Some of the cattle a few miles from here are dying with 
what is called the dry murrain. Grass is short, but far bet- 
ter than most other sections of the country. We now have 
an abundance of green corn, tomatoes, musk and water- 
melons, &c., from gardens ARTIFICIALLY luatered! 

August. — The past month has been a continuation of our 
severe and protracted drought. The ground is so very dry 
that large fissures have been opened in almost all possible 
directions, as well on the tough sod of the unbroken prairie 
as on ploughed land. 

All the small streams which flow from central Kansas are 
dried up, and none but the best springs and wells afford 
water. Stock suffers severely for want of water ; in fact; 
many have died from this cause alone. I have from good 
authority that along the banks of the Missouri river, from 
Nebraska down, plenty of rain has fallen, but this belt is of 
but an insignificant width. In the Territory I learn that 
lieavy rains have fallen in some places, but not enough to 
make a full crop anywhere. 

The general complaint of poor crops and fears of suffering 
come from all parts of the country. No hay or Hungarian 
grass of moment will be saved for feed this winter, but as a 
compensation the farmers are busily engaged cutting and 



16 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS.' 

curing their corn-stalks. Large tracts of this year's grass 
have been burned — probably set on fire by malicious persons 
on purpose to see the fire or to ascertain whether green grass 
would burn or not. Hundreds of families have left for the 
States, disgusted with their prospects of being able to secure 
a crop ; hundreds more will leave, but a great many will be 
compelled to remain for want of means to travel. These 
will suffer this winter for food, or have at best a miserable 
existence until another year. Corn will, in this particular 
neighborhood, be half a crop, but taken throughout the 
Territory, probably less than one-fourth. 

Potatoes are doing nothing but die. Sorghum sugar cane 
has a fair growth, and as a consequence a great deal of mo- 
lasses will be made. Buckwheat, the last hope of many of 
the farmers, is too poor to amount to anything, and the same 
may be said of turnips, &c. 

Little, if any, fall wheat has been sown yet, and unless it 
rains a very small crop will be put in the ground. Farmers 
fear the chinch-bug, which has appeared in such vast numbers 
as almost to surpass belief. Taking all in all, our future, 
for at least one year, looks gloomy enough. No dews have 
fallen this month. The last half of this month has been re- 
markable for the number of small whirlwinds. None were 
of sufficient force to destroy property, yet they showed a 
strange state of the air. 

The few small showers we have had were of no general 
extent — all were confined to narrow belts or spots. 

September. All kinds of crops are past redemption now. 
Corn-fields that the owners were flattering themselves would 
yield twenty-five to thirty bushels per acre, on being picked 
show the coh with kernels at distances varying from one. 
fourth to one inch apart. Thus the hopes of many are 
blasted for this year. Of wheat very little will be put in the 
ground. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 17 

From the Register of B. F. Cox, Neosho Falls, Kansas, for 
July, 1860. 

The 7tli and llth, thermometer 114, the wind blew strong 
from S. W. — hot and dry as the blast from a furnace — a reg- 
ular sirocco. We were obliged to shut up our houses and 
keep out of it the best way we could, and were nearly suffo- 
cated. Bees and other insects crowded into the house in 
large numbers and were perfectly torpid from heat ; most of 
them recovered and flew away in the evening. 



A Statement of tlie Destitution in various Counties ^ as 
gathered on the spot hy Thaddeus Hyatt, from State- 
ments at Public Meetings, Letters, &c., and from other 
sources. 



SHAWNEE COUNTY. 

THE AUBURN MEETING. 

At a meeting held at Auburn, Shawnee county, Septem- 
ber 11, 1860, A. L. Winans, Esq., president, D. B. Emmet 
secretary — 

Judge Winans stated the objects of the meeting, describing 
the wants and sufferings of the county ; others more than 
confirmed his picture of the dearth and distress. 

Alexander Emmerson said he had sowed wheat, and the 
hail had destroyed his entire crop ; last year he raised forty 
bushels of corn to the acre ; there is not a bushel of old corn 
in his neighborhood ; many had left ; the hail storm on the 
31st July destroyed all the crops and a number of houses ; 
there had not been four inches of rain in thirteen months. 

W. Johnson, near Auburn, sowed forty-two bushels of 
wheat with lime, and realizes nothing ; planted thirty acres of 
2 



18 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

corn ; got stalks but no corn ; forty acres of buckwlieat and 
ten of potatoes, and has got nothing from all. In 1857 there 
was no rain from April till the last of August, and yet he 
raised seventy-five bushels of corn to the acre ; more than 
usual was planted this year, extra exertions were made, and 
no returns. There is not enough breadstuff in the neighbor- 
hood to serve two months ; has traveled on the road, and 
could find no corn till he got to Stranger creek, in Leaven- 
worth county ; even there he found the worm in the corn. 

William West, of Eidge, says he will raise a few nubbins ; 
no corn, no wheat, no buckwheat ; will not raise seed from 
anything he planted, in the last twelve months ; he is raising 
fodder for cattle, but for bread and seed he did not know 
what he would do. 

G. D. Lathrop, of Middle Branch, says he planted sixty 
acres of corn ; sowed twenty acres of fall wheat, and ten of 
spring wheat, and will not average, from all, two bushels to 
the acre ; and the average of the neighborhood will not be 
more than one biishel to the acre, instead of fifty bushels, as 
heretofore. 

Dr. Gamble, of One Hundred and Ten creek, says the 
crops are a total failure, but it is healthy in his neighborhood. 
Elder Winans says the crops are a total failure ; there is 
not even a half a crop of fodder. 

Eev. James F. Holliday says he has traveled over a con- 
siderable portion of Shawnee county, a part of Osage, and 
Waubunsee counties, and he thinks there will not be a bushel 
to the acre, all the crops are failures ; has seen no vegetables 
except a few cucumbers ; many have left, and others are 
leaving; there is not food enough to do the people tAvo 
months ; and there is no money ; few would leave if they 
could help it; many have borrowed money to buy land war- 
rants and pre-empt their lands, and many will lose their 
claims. For land warrants on twelve months time they pay 
$250 and $265, and four per cent, a month after due. The 
troubles of the settlers have been brought on by Government 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 19 

forcing the land sales ; only for that, the people might have 
withstood the drought. 

John "W, Brown says he has been here since 1849 ; from 
forty acres in wheat has raised nothing ; of one himdred in 
corn, the yield will not be one bushel to the acre. There are 
fifty families in this township that have not two dollars to 
the family, nor two bushels of corn, and nothing else. His 
usual crops have been fifty bushels to the acre ; there is not 
food enough in the whole county for more than one month, 
if equally divided, and very few have money to buy it if it 
was for sale. 

W. Overstreet says that last year he raised eighty bushels , 
to the acre ; this year he has nothing. 

Dr. Wood, on the Waukarusa, said there were but a few 
bushels of corn in his neighborhood, and there is about one 
thousand acres of corn that will not produce even a pound of 
fodder. 

The Auburn Docket, of September 20, 1860, describing 
the destitution of the county, and devising means for relief, 
says: 

" The course pursued by the Administration (in forcing 
the lands into market) has deprived them of their cash re- 
sources, and now that their crops have failed them, they have 
nothing whatever to depend on. But few can be found who 
have enough to supply them during the winter, while many 
are now nearly destitute. We even hear of families who are 
living upon the milk of a single cow. One woman in An- 
derson county has already died of starvation. * * The 
destitution of the people in the Territory has not been over 
estimated ; they are out of m oney, and their crops are an 
entire failure." 

THE FIKST TOPEKA MEETING. 

At a meeting held at Topeka, Shawnee county, September 
12, 1860, Mayor Farnsworth president, J. Brockway, sec- 
retary — 

Judge Alfred L. Winans said he had twenty-eight years 
experience in the West, and he never saw people in so bad a 



20 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

condition as they are at the present time in Kansas. The 
farmers had put in a succession of crops, and thousands of acres 
on the Waukarusa will not produce anything ; a whole field 
of eighteen acres would not produce four loads of fodder. 
From Waukarusa he drove twenty-six miles without finding 
grass for his horse, and had to go to Baldwin city before ho 
found any feed. The people in Kansas are the most indus- 
trious farmers he ever saw. 

E. Baily, west of Williamsport, said his teams were idle 
for want of employment ; could not get one dollar per 
(lay for hauling ; the prospects for crops last spring were 
good ; there is nothing now ; he has planted forty acres of 
Corn, and cannot find a mess of roasting ears without worms. 
lie is about starting for the East, with a wife and seven chil- 
dren, and with fifty cents in his pocket ; he has already sacri- 
ficed his property, except his wagon and oxen, for three 
dollars and fifty cents. 

O. C. Nichols, two miles south of Topeka, says he last 
year raised thirty bushels of corn to the acre ; will have this 
year about one half a bushel ; his neighbors, who had raised 
sixty bushels to the acre last year, will have nothing this 
year. The people are generally industrious ; one third of 
the settlers have mortgaged their claims. There are fifty or 
sixty families in the neighborhood ; two-thirds of them would 
leave if they could. 

Horatio Fletcher says he sowed twenty-five acres of 
wheat — it failed ; planted sixty-five acres of com — it will not 
average three bushels to the acre. 

L. C. Wilmarth says that he will realize from twenty acres 
of wheat and fifteen acres of corn, two loads of fodder ; from 
five acres of garden produce, nothing but a small bed of rad- 
ishes ; and he has lost several hundred young fruit trees. 

James Buchanan, a farmer, said he located with plenty of 
money ; spent it in improvements on his claim ; planted sixty 
acres of corn, from which he will not have fodder enough to 
winter two cows ; has no provisions. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 21 

S. T. Walkley said lie subsoiled his laud last year ; 
raised fifty busliels to the acre ; this year planted ninety 
acres, and sowed in good season, also, ten dollars worth of 
garden seed ; he will realize nothing but a little fodder. 

Rev. C. C. Hutchison said he had traveled much, and con- 
firmed the worst statements made in regard to the crops ; 
five members of his church had to leave and go East or 
starve. 

H. W. Martin, of Tecumseh, said all the crops were short 
in his neighborhood, as in the surrounding townships ; 
destitution general. 

Rev. J, A. Steel says, he planted eight acres of corn, and 
will not get enough to feed a goose ; planted potatoes, and 
did not get back a potato. He is a knave or a fool who says 
the people are not in want. 

J. B. Brock way says, he has thirty acres of corn on the 
new bottom; last year he raised forty bushels, this year he may 
get seven, and he is better off than his neighbors ; in the 
corn he gets, there are worms ; and he does not know a field of 
potatoes that will produce one potato to the acre ; and no wheat 
worth cutting ; not more than four inches of rain has fallen 
in eleven months. Land warrants are bought at a high price, 
on time, and four per cent, a month interest after due ; many 
have mortgaged their claims ; great many cannot live through 
the winter without aid. 

Rev. F. P. Mountforth sowed thirty acres of wheat, and it 
produced but seven bushels. In the bounds of his travels 
the land will not produce two bushels to the acre, and that 
is worm-eaten. 

A committee was appointed to solicit relief through Thad- 
deus Hyatt, as follows : John W. Brown, William Overstreet, 
Judge Winans, William West, Samuel Garrison, and Rev. 
F. P. Mountforth. 



22 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 



THE SECOND TOPEKA MEETING. 

Pursuant to previous notice, a meeting of the citizens of 
Shawnee county was held at Museum Hall, in Topeka, on 
Saturday, September 22d, for the purpose of eliciting the 
facts in regard to the failure of the crops of the present sea- 
son, and the necessities of the people occasioned thereby. 
The meeting was called to order by Dr. James Fletcher, on 
whose motion I. N. Eoberts, Esq., was called to the chair 
On motion of Eev. L. Bodwell, James Fletcher and H. G. 
Lyons were elected secretaries. The President explained 
the object of the meeting. 

On motion, the persons present from the several town- 
ships were requested to report for the same. 

Messrs. H. W. Martin, I. N. Eoberts, Eev. H. P. Eobinson, 

J. P. Greer, H. W. Curtis, and Campbell reported for 

Tecumseh township. There had been sown 833 acres of 
wheat, from which had been harvested 256 bushels ; 2,591 
acres of corn planted, which would yield about 3,537 bush- 
els ; 110 acres of potatoes planted, which would yield 11 
bushels ; 63 acres of buckwheat sown, which was a total fail- 
ure ; 26| acres of beans planted, from which would be har- 
vested 10 bushels ; 41 acres of turnips sown, a total failure ; 
84 acres of Hungarian grass sown, which yielded 7 tons. 
There are 58 bushels of old wheat and 2,560 bushels of old 
corn in the township ; 23 families had left, and several 
more were preparing to leave on account of the scarcity of 
provisions. Of those who remained, many would need assist- 
ance, or employment at fair wages, to maintain themselves 
against want. 

Messrs. Hiram Shields, E. 0. Johnson, and H. G. Lyons 
reported for Monmouth township. 301 acres of wheat 
sown, and 14-| bushels raised; 1,339 acres of corn planted, 
which would yield 400 bushels; 34| acres of potatoes plant- 
ed, 56| acres buckwheat sown, 10 acres of beans planted, 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 23 

40 acres of Hungarian grass, 5|- acres of turnips sown, all of 
which were an entire failure. There are 1,200 bushels of 
old corn in the township ; 21 families had left, and 6 more 
preparing to leave on account of the great scarcity of provi- 
sions for themselves and feed for their stock. Some 40 fam- 
ilies remained, most of whom will need assistance or employ- 
ment by which they can earn something to sustain them- 
selves through the winter. 

W. E. Bowker, John Plilly, and James Hunter reported 
for Soldier township. 200 acres of wheat sown, and 40 
bushels harvested; 1,089 acres of corn planted, and 500 
bushels raised ; 20 acres of potatoes planted, which would 
yield nothing. There are 1,000 bushels of old corn in the 
township ; 2 families had left, 65 families remained, most 
of whom, if they could get employment at fair wages, would 
be able to maintain themselves against want — otherwise 
they would need assistance. 

Harvey J. Loomis reported for Mission Creek, There 
had been sown, and planted, in wheat, corn, buckwheat, 
potatoes, and beans, about 1,000 acres, from which had been 
raised 15 bushels of wheat, and some corn fodder — every- 
thing else an entire failure. Fourteen families had left on 
account of drought and scarcity of provisions ; thirty-five 
families, from necessity or choice, remained, most of whom, 
if they could get employment, would be able to take care of 
themselves — some would need assistance. Six hundred 
bushels of old corn and some stock were the only available 
means in the settlement. 

W. H. Overstreet, R. M. Fish, D. B. Emmett, and Wm. 
Atwood were present from Auburn township, but were not 
prepared to give the statistics of the township. They all 
corroborated each other in the statement, that the farmers 
had planted more, and cultivated with greater care than any 
previous year, and that it was an entire failure. About one 
hundred families were in the township, many of whom had 
no available means, and would need help. 



24 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

George B. Holmes reported for Williamsport. The 
farmers in that settlement had sown and planted in wheat, 
corn, potatoes, beans, &c., all the land they had under 
cultivation, amounting to about one thousand acres, and 
raised nothing — every thing proved a failure. 

James Fletcher reported for Topeka township. 1,540 
acres of wheat sown, 110 bushels raised; 2,500 acres of corn 
planted, which would yield 750 bushels ; 100 acres of pota- 
toes planted — none raised ; 150 acres of buckwheat sown — 
none raised ; 35 acres of beans planted — none raised ; 12 
acres of turnips sown — none raised ; 100 acres of Hungarian 
grass sown, which yielded 8 tons. There are 12 bushels of 
old wheat, and 1,300 bushels of old corn in the township ; 
19 families had left, and more were preparing to go ; some 
would need help ; most of the settlers could maintain them- 
selves if they could get employment at fair wages. 

Several persons stated that owing to the short time be- 
tween the call and the meeting, their reports were imperfect, 
and many details of interest were entirely omitted, and that 
a strict investigation of all the facts, and especially the wants 
of the people, would show a more distressing state of affairs 
than had been reported to the meeting. 

On motion, the reports were referred to' a committee con- 
sisting of one from each township, with instructions to arrange 
them in an abstract form, and send the same to Mr. Hyatt. 
The committee consisted of James Fletcher, of Topeka, Kev. 
H. P. Eobinson of Tecumseh township, Geo. B. Holmes of 
Williamsport, J. W. Brown of Auburn, H. G. Lyons of 
Monmouth township, and James Hunter of Soldier township. 

On motion of H. C. Hawkins, the townships were request- 
ed to appoint township relief committees, and the chairman 
of each township committee to be constituted a member of 
a county relief committee, and report the same to the secretary 
of this meeting on or before two weeks next Wednesday. 

On motion, the meeting adjourned. 

I. N. Egberts, President. 

James Fletcher, ) „ . • . 

H.G. Lyons, ' \ Secretaries. 

The following is the report above referred to, condensed 
and presented in a tabular form, aod forwarded to me by the 
chairman of the above committee : 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 



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^Q THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

WilliaMsport Township. — The farmers sowed to wheat, turnips, 
buckwheat, Hungarian grass, and planted to corn, potatoes, and garden 
vegetables, all the lands in the settlement, amounting to about 1,000 
acres, and raised nothing— neither grass, roots, or graii^ of any kind. 

Auburn Township. — The report of this township was sent by the 
township committee direct to Mr. Hyatt ; hence we can only report 
that its condition is like the other townships in the county, and the 
crops are an entire failure. 

The foregoing report of Shawnee county is necessarily 
very imperfect, owing to the limited notice given. Many 
farms are not reported, and many details of interest are entire- 
ly omitted. We are, however, informed that garden vegetabes 
have been an entire failure. Chinese sugar cane was planted 
on many farms, and except in Tecumseh township, and a 
small portion of Topeka township, is reported a failure, 
where it is estimated 500 gallons of molasses will be made. 
By the above report it will be seen that there was planted 
and sown in the county (making a fair estimate for Auburn 
township) 17,500 acres, from which has been raised 436| 
bushels of wheat, 5,187 bushels of corn, 11 bushels of pota- 
toes, 10 bushels beans ; add estimate 500 gallons molasses, 
10 tons Hungarian grass, and you can see all the products of 
our farms for the year 1860. It is estimated that 100 
families have left the county, and as many more must leave, 
or have immediate aid, by donations or employment, which 
they cannot at present procure ; and nearly our entire stock 
of cattle and horses must be driven out of the territory to 
winter. 

James Fletcher, Chairman of Com. 

Topeka, Shawnee county, September 22, 1860. 
BRECKINRIDGE COUNTY 

the MEETING AT ITALIA. 

At a meeting held at Italia, Neosho Rapids, Breckinridge 
county, September 7, 1860 — 

Jacob Kisling, of Jackson township, said that there had 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS, 27 

not fallen five and a quarter inches of rain in eleven and a 
quarter months, as he had accurately measured it. He had 
planted corn, and would not get seven bushels to the acre, 
where last year he raised forty-eight. Of all other crops he 
will have nothing. 

Uriah Carter, of Weller creek, said he has planted corn on 
ground that last year produced about sixty bushels to the acre, 
and this year he will get no corn and but little fodder. No one 
in his neighborhood, except Mr. Ashpole, has raised any 
corn this year, and he, out of forty acres, will get but ten 
bushels an acre from five acres — all the rest will yield but 
fodder. There is not enough corn to do the people two 
months. Potatoes are dead. Some families have left, others 
are unable to go. There is no money and no provisions ; 
only a little meat in the neighborhood. There is a settle- 
ment of Norwegians on Fall river, twenty miles south of 
Willow, who have scarcely anything, and no means to get 
away. They must suffer, if not soon relieved. There is not 
in that vicinity one bushel of flour to one family in fifty. 
Great sacrifices have been already made. Had the land sales 
tvhich tooh place a short time since been post2')oned, the people 
would have had some means to get through the season. 

Judge A, J, Mitchell, of Jackson township, said that out 
of sixty acres in corn, from ten to fifteen will produce from 
five to ten bushels to the acre — the remainder will give 
nothing but fodder, which would not be fit for use in a good 
season. No wheat, no potatoes ; and if it does not rain he 
will have no buckwheat. This was the picture of the coun- 
try near him. 

Mr. Baily said he had fifty acres in corn last year, on 
which he raised more corn than he will get from two hun- 
dred acres this year. In good seasons the yield will be from 
eighty to one hundred bushels to the acre, and corn will 
grow here without rain as well as in any country in the 
world. Will have some turnips, if it rains ; \no rain fell.^ 
There is grass and fodder enough to feed the cattle, but 



28 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS 

some of the hogs must " root, or die." Calves are dying 
•with the black-legs. 

Samuel Van Gundy, on the bottom in Jackson township, 
said he had eighty acres of corn. Seven acres will yield 
about thirty bushels, the rest five bushels to the acre. He 
has plowed his wheat up and planted it in corn. There is 
no corn upon the upland farms, and the worms are in the 
bottoms. 

Sylvester Adams, of Jackson township, had twenty acres 
in corn, which will yield ten or twelve bushels to the acre. 
The people have nothing but corn ; and no money — all used 
to pay for land. 

Alexander Baily says he sowed spring wheat, and sixteen 
acres of fall wheat ; raised nothing. Ploughed it up and 
put in buckwheat, and if he gets his seed he will do well. 
Of eighty acres of corn, the average will be one bushel to the 
acre — all old ground except ten acres. Last year averaged 
thirty bushels. There is little old corn in his neighborhood. 
Ilis corn is losing every day, and he is cutting it up to save 
the fodder. Such is his neighborhood, where the cattle are 
dying of Spanish fever. 

Dr. G. J. Tallman says he thinks the people in his vicinity 
may have enough for themselves, but nothing to spare for 
other neighborhoods. 

Mr. Fennemore, northwest corner of Coffee county, says 
that there will be half a crop in the valley, and one-fourth oJ 
a crop of corn out of it. All other crops entire failures, 
except buckwheat, and that will be slim. Good husbandry 
has nothing to do with the failure, as all are alike, and there 
has been no lack of industry, but the very opposite. Crops 
till this year have been good. Lands have been mortgaged, 
and claims will be lost. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 29 



THE MEETING AT EMPORIA. 

At a meeting held at Emporia^ Breckinridge county, 
September 8, 1860, and largely attended, Dr. J. H. Watson 
cliairman, and J. W. Eandall secretary — 

Messrs. N. Bixler, E. H. Abraliam, J. M. Miller, of Fre- 
mont township ; Dr. Hunt, John Triggs, Joel Haworth, and 
James Jackson, of Pike township ; K. W. Cloud, of Waterloo 
township ; John Fowler, Dr. C. C. Slocum, John Hammond, 
J. P. McElfresh, and James W. Randall, of Emporia town- 
ship, and others, stated the condition of the people in their 
respective townships. 

A report of a meeting held the night previous in Jackson 
township, was read. 

In Fremont township it was agreed that there are not over 
800 bushels of old corn, and the new crop will not produce 
on an average over two bushels to the acre ; the wheat, oats 
and potatoes nearly a total failure, and the buckwheat de- 
stroyed by grasshoppers. 

In Pike township, but two men had old com to sell. This 
township is the most productive in the county, (as stated by 
the chairman.) It has more bottom land than any other 
township. The new crop will yield an average of one or 
two bushels to the acre, it being injured bj grasshoppers and 
worms. Wheat and other crops were a total failure. Several 
families have left this township, and others preparing to de- 
part. 

Jackson township reported an average of about ten 
bushels of wormy corn to the acre on the bottom land; 
scarcely fodder on the upland. The old and new corn of 
that township will not more than famish bread for its 
population, 

Americus township (as reported by Thomas H. Stanley 
and Judge Baker) has not corn for its inhabitants. This 
joins the Kaw reservation, and they stated that there are 



©0 THE DESTITUTIOlSr IN KANSAS. 

300 whites and about 900 Indians in tliat section who will 
not have half corn enough to bread them till next spring. 

In Emporia township, a general failure of crops except 
corn, and that will not produce more than the fourth of a 
crop, and it will be generally wormy. Men have already 
worked two days for a bushel of corn. It was stated that 
last year many farmers raised 75 bushels of corn to the acre, 
and the universal testimony was that Kansas can withstand 
drought better than any of the States from which the settlers 
came. The testimony of all was that the people of this 
country were generally very industrious and persevering in 
their endeavors to raise crops. Last fall they sowed winter 
wheat ; this they plowed up and put in spring wheat and 
oats ; that not coming up, they planted it in corn, and in some 
instances re-planted ; and laterly buckwheat has been sown, 
which bids fair to be blasted and unproductive. 

In some portions of this county the cattle disease has pre- 
vailed. In Emporia township about 70 head of choice cattle 
have died within the last three weeks. 

It was stated that money was very scarce, and that stock 
could not be sold for money ; and that owing to the land 
sales many had to use their last dollar to save their claims, 
and that a considerable number borrowed money and mort- 
gaged their land, expecting to pay it out of this year's crops. 

Judge Graham of Madison county, Myrock Huntley of 
the Verdigris, H. J. Barton of Butler county. A, E. Rhodes 
of Ottoe and Hunter counties, and A. Studebaker of Chase 
county, gave statements of the crops in those counties, which 
represent the people in a worse condition than in Breckin- 
ridge county. 

After the statements were concluded, a committee of two 
persons from each township was appointed to obtain ad- 
ditional statistics, to seek out the destitute, and to report the 
same to Thaddeus Hyatt as soon as possible. The com- 
mittees were as follows : Pike township, James Jackson and 
Dr. F. G. Hunt ; Fremont, P. B. Maxson, J. M. Miller ; Amc- 



THE DESTITUTIOISr IN KANSAS. ^f. 

ricus, George Shockley, W. E'. Denison; Emporia, G. D.. 
Humphrey, W. O. Fergiison,. Joseph Hall ;: Jackson, Dr. G. 
J. Tallman, H. S. Sleeper. 

THE WATEKLOO' MEETING. 

At a meetmg held at "Waterloo, Breckinridge county,. 
September 10th, 1860, R. W. Cloud president, John Way- 
man secretary — 

Sylvester Hill, north of Santa Fe road, said he planted 
18 acres of corn and will only get about two loads of fodder. 
Buckwheat and beans are killed, and no prospect for pota- 
toes — last year he raised forty bushels to the acre, this year 
a total failure. There has been, no rain to- soak the ground 
since 1859. The corn-fields have been given up to the stock- 
There is no corn in the neighborhood for bread. Land war- 
rants are bought on time for $235, with 4 per cent, per- 
month after due. There about sixty families, in this neigh- 
borhood in this fix. Five families have left, others will go- 
if they can. In Ohio, with such a drought, no green things 
would have been seen. 

Albert Watkins says he has lived six years in the Terri- 
tory, Kas raised heretofore 4,000 bushels of corn on 40 acres ;. 
this season he may, from 90' acres, get 200 bushels of corn 
•and worms together ; from 50^ acres of wheat sowed, not a ker- 
nel ; his buckwheat, turnips* and beans are all a failure ; had, 
sold most of his old crop — ^has only 100 bushels of old corn, 
left, and cannot sell his stock at any price.. This is the gene- 
ral condition of his neighborhood. There will not be 50' 
bushels of corn raised in his township, north of the Santa Fe 
road. Near Waterloo the cattle were d3ring of the Texas 
fever, 

J. D- Wiggins, of Duck Creek, said he had planted lO- 
:acres ©f corn and one of garden, produce — got no. cornj, and 
nothing but a saucer of peas. There are ten families on the 
Creek, and only one has corn, enough to bread them; many 
cattle liad died, others are diseased^ 



32 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 



LINN COUNTY. 



At a meeting called and lield in Mound City, August 30, 
1860, of representatives from the various townships of that 
county and some from counties along the southern line of 
Kansas, the following statements, among others, were made. 
The condition of this county may be taken as a fair illus- 
tration of the true situation of the whole Territory. 

David Reese, one of the old settlers, says : " Things are 
worse now than they were in 1856. Then we had money ; 
now we have none. I believe that if all the money in Linn 
was distributed out even, it would not count three dollars to 
a man. I have been here since early in '56, and gone through 
the troubles then ; was taken prisoner and dragged away 
from my family ; saw my neighbors' houses burnt and robbed 
— but, sir, this hour is a darker one for Kansas than even 
that ! The crops are an entire failure. I planted twenty- 
four acres of corn, and will not get twenty-five bushels. 
There is not a vegetable in my garden. Everything is gone. 
Over there [pointing to a neighboring farm] lives an Illinois 
farmer. He came in here with ten thousand dollars in '57, 
and has a splendid farm; to-day he cannot command cash 
enough to pay trifling debts. He understands farming well, 
and has put in one crop after another in succession, hoping 
for rain with each one, but all have failed. He has now 
gone to Missouri with some cattle to sell for ready money. 
We regard him as one of our rich men, and yet he is that 
hard up for cash. Down on Mine creek I know of eighteen 
families who have left for the States within the past week." 

Dr. Samuel Ayers, who has traveled in the north portion 
of Linn, the south portion of Lykins, and to the east line of 
Anderson county, says: "There will be almost universal 
destitution. There are about three thousand bushels of old 
corn in that whole extent of country. In a short time it 
will be so that the people cannot get corn at all ; unless 



THE DESTITUTION IN" KANSAS. 88 

aided, they cannot live. Tlieir general fare now is nothing 
but corn bread and water. Crops were put in, but they have 
failed. I planted twenty-five acres of corn, but shall not 
get four bushels of corn from the whole of it. The corn 
will produce scarcely fodder enough for the stock. There 
is not corn enough to feed the hogs. "Wheat and spring 
crops are an entire failure. The sick cannot get medicine, 
nor can they get such food as they require. I have ex- 
pended all my means for medicines, and cannot now supply 
the demands upon me. In the west portion of the county, 
where the lands were last year ordered to be sold, the desti- 
tution is peculiarly great, because the people have no money, 
and they have no money because they were last year forced 
to pay for their lands. Many of the poor settlers had no 
alternative but to mortgage their claims to raise the money 
demanded of them by the Government. The drought has 
come, and pay day has come ! These poor people, unable 
even to subsist, and quite unable to pay borrowed money, 
will be driven from their claims, and lose all. Had we a 
homestead bill, this state of things could not exist." 

Josiah Lamb, Potosi township. Mine creek, from ten acres 
of planted wheat raised nothing ; from sixty acres of corn he 
will realize nothing but fodder — not a roasting ear; has 100 
bushels of old corn, and in that respect is better off than his 
neighbors ; twelve families left his neighborhood during the 
last week ; for land warrants and pre-emption claims the 
people are paying heavy interest and sacrificing their im- 
provements. 

J. H. Wilson, farmer, has twice planted forty-seven acres 
this season, and would sell his whole crop for two dollars. 

Theodore Wilson, farmer, Mound city township, from. 
forty-four acres planted in corn, potatoes, and other vege- 
tables, he will have but fodder for his stock, aad this is 
the general condition of his neighbors. 

J. C. Holmes, Potosi township : Has not seen any corn 



\ 



\ 



V 



34 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

without worms. The crops are a failure along the Missouri 
State line — people industrious — corroborates Stillwell's letter. 

Eev. J. S. Swagerty says there are not four hundred 
bushels of corn on Lost creek ; no wheat raised, and not corn 
enough to bread the families ; the people are industrious and 
worked hard, yet many have sacrificed their claims and 
left. 

Eev. Reuben Lamb, Potosi township, corroborating the 
above, adds, that cattle are dying of " Spanish fever ;" the 
people are moral and industrious ; would have been prosper- 
ous but for the drought. The sorghum is the only thing that 
has yielded even half a crop. ' 

Rev. William Phillip : The grass is burnt, the com is 
withered, where he had been in Lykins and Coffee counties, 
even up to the Santa Fe road ; the people of Lykins county 
held a meeting to devise means to keep them from starving 
this coming winter. 

Elder Hobbs, Baptist minister, corroborates the statements 
of distress and destitution in Allen, Anderson, Linn and Bour- 
bon counties ; many will lose their claims. 

Thomas Jones, Mound city township, corroborates the 
statements of Elder Hobbs ; many will leave ; others are un- 
able to go. 

Mr. Converse : The corn crop will not average over five 
bushels to the acre. Buckwheat, turnips, and garden pro- 
duce all failed. The county is destitute. 

Mr. Winship corroborates the above. 

Mr. Davenport says bread will be wanting ; there will be 
need of seed spring wheat and corn. 

C Wheaton, farmer, has traveled over the territory ; many 
families are leaving, because they have not provisions ; the 
cattle are dying ; on a portion of the Osage, people must 
starve if they are not supplied ; the want is owing to the 
drought, and not from want of industry. 

H. A. Smith, lawyer : There is an impression that a confes- 
sion of the true condition of the people will lessen the price of 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 35 

lots ; but it is better to stare the truth in the face, and make 
known our wants and be relieved. 

Dr. Jennison : I have traveled some through the country, 
and seen enough to confirm the statements made here. When 
a traveler stops at a cabin, and the poor woman is an hour 
getting him something to eat — and then it is nothing but 
water, and corn-bread made of meal and water, and but little 
of that — you may judge that something is the matter with 
the people. As many as can go are getting away, and I 
know of some who have left without even the few shillings 
necessary to j^ay ferriage across the Missouri. 

Jonathan Lyman, printer : Has not this season seen any- 
thing green but two messes of corn ; he affirms the bank- 
rupt condition of the people and failure of the crops. 

Andrew Stark, farmer, says there will be required seed 
and corn for spring planting ; one third of the citizens are 
leaving the county. 

Chas. Clark, of Paris township, planted twenty acres of 
corn, and will not raise enough for his wife and child. 

Mr. Blanchard, farmer, Turkey creek, planted sixty acres 
in corn, and will not raise anything ; fourteen families south- 
west of Mound city township, have left. 

L. Whitney, assessor : Not enough corn to keep the peo- 
ple until spring ; few fields that yield much. 

Eli Babb, county clerk, says, of twenty-five thousand 
acres put in corn this season, there will not be enough in the 
county to keep the people. 

Solomon Mason, Paris township, planted seventy acres of 
corn ; will not have a bushel to the acre ; one tract of three 
liundred acres, that yielded five thousand bushels last year, 
will not average one bushel to the acre. 

Father Cummings, from the north portion of Potosi town- 
ship, said: "I planted sixty acres of corn, and out of it will 
get four acres of nubbins ; the balance is nothing but fodder. 
There is not enough corn in the neighborhood to supply 



36 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

bread. The beans are promising, bat the prairie chickens 
are eating them up." 

Rev. Mark Robinson : Endorses Stillwell's letter to the 
New York Tribune, even the cooking of eggs by heat ot the 
sun ; has traveled extensively over the territory on the Ver- 
digris, Walnut creek, Fall river, Butler, Hunter, and Green- 
wood counties ; the crops are an entire failure ; the people are 
industrious ; have put in crop after crop and all have failed. 

George Burchard confirmed the Stillwell letter. Mr. and 
Mrs. Stillwell being present, reiterated its truthfulness, as 
did also several of their immediate neighbors from Mine 
creek. 

It was '' resolved " by this meeting of the people of Linn, 
that, 

"The statement of wants and destitution in this vicinity, 
and the necessity of assistance, made by S. C. Stillwell, Esq., 
throutrh the columns of the New York Tribune, is, in the 
judgment of this meeting, essentially correct." 

Dr. Danforth corroborated the general destitution, and 
moved for a committee of relief, which was appointed. 

The following is the report of the census taker, as fur- 
nished by Mr. Babb, the county clerk : 

Number of farms 600 

Improved land 28,000 acres. 

Unimproved land 78,000 " 

Corn raised in 1859 375,381 bushels. 

Oats 8,575 " 

Potatoes 10,801 " 

Buckwheat 2,979 " 

Beans 752 " 

Sweet potatoes 541 " 

Wheat not reported. 

Sorghum molasses 9,441 gallons. 

On hand June, 1860— 

Old corn 32,000 bushels. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 37 

Number of horses 1,477 

Number of mules 85 

Number of milcli cows 1,695 

Number of oxen 1,415 

Number of othercattle 2,227 

Number of bogs 7,600 

Number of inhabitants 6,433 

Number of voters - 1,500 

Note. — In the above report I have quoted the bushels of 
corn on hand June 1st, at thirty-two thousand. My figures, 
copied from the book of the county clerk, read thirty-two 
hundred; but, fearing an error, I have put it at thirty-two 
thousand, to avoid a seeming disposition to make a picture 
overdrawn. Even thus, the picture is bad enough, for upon 
the assumption of thirty thousand bushels of corn in Linn 
county, and presuming that there remains of last year's crop 
twenty thousand bushels — say fifty thousand bushels in all — 
we find, that to give to each person of the population the 
bare allowance of a slave, one peck per week, and make no 
account of the et ceteras allowed him in addition, this corn 
would support the population but till next June, even if they 
could live on it alone, and this upon the supposition that the 
few who have divide with the many who have not. But this 
is not supposable. Let us, therefore, call the et ceteras equal 
in value to one-third the peck per week of corn ; there is 
then but corn enough to barely keep the people alive till 
the 1st of next March, even upon the agrarian principle, while 
the cattle are left unprovided for ; and it would require more 
corn than they have got to fatten the swine alone. 

ANDEESON COUNTY. 

At a meeting held in Anderson county, September 1, 
1860, Joseph Eaton, Esq., chairman, B. F. Kidgway secre- 
tary — 



88 THE DESTITUTION" IN KANSAS. 

Many spoke, and from various statements of the farmers 
present, the probabilities are, tliat not more than five bushels 
of corn will be realized to the acre, and that of an inferior 
quality. Mr. Jones, the census taker, said, that " he had 
visited every cabin in the county. In Walker township, 
Anderson county, he found an entire family living on the 
milk of a single cow, having nothing else to subsist upon. 
In Ozark township, in a single section, he found five fam- 
ilies living on nothing but corn bread and water, while 
another family of four were subsisting entirely on the milk 
of one cow, with nothing Avhatever to eat." He also said 
that he found actual starvation. One woman had really 
starved to death. A neighbor testified to the fact, acknowl- 
edging that their own wants had blinded them to the poor 
woman's actual condition u.ntil the hour for her relief had 
passed, and it was too late to save her. He also stated that 
he traveled for two days over a region so entirely destitute, 
that he could get nothing to eat himself, nor anything for 
his beast, except grass ; and that in the entire county of 
Anderson, in which, to-day, the crops are more promising 
than any other county in Kansas, except Leavenworth, Don- 
iphan, and Atchison, there is but two hundred bushels of 
■^dieat ; that there will be neither potatoes nor other vege- 
tables, and that the county will not this year raise half 
enough corn to support her population, the old being added 
in. 

It is represented by Judge Arny, who resides in this 
county, that it has a population of 2,403 persons, 467 farms, 
107,677 bushels of corn raised in 1859. 

This old corn has nearly all been used up, and much of 
the new corn is so wormy that it cannot be used for bread, 
and is not even fit to feed to horses. 

W. Q. Wickersham, of Ozark township, reports for the 
same, as follows : 

Names of families who require help on Osage, Anderson 
county : 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. SO 

B. Butler, no crop ; two yoke cattle, two horses, one 
wagon, one cow. 

A. P. Horton, no crop ; one yoke cattle, one cow. 

Mr. McMnllen, no crop ; no stock ; has promise of work, 
but no clothing for his family. 

A. Daly, no crop ; one cow, two horses, no other means ; 
destitute. 

J. Mills, no crop ; one yoke cattle ; no other means. 

DEER CREEK. 

John Volk, no crop ; two horses, one wagon ; no other 
means. 

G. W. Temple, no crop ; one cow, two horses and wagon ; 
nothing else. 

L. M. McGomb, no crop ; two cows, one yoke cattle ; no 
other means. 

Franklin IIull, no crop ; two yoke cattle, one cow ; no 
other means. 

Mr. Hook, one yoke cattle, three cows ; no other means. 

Two unknown families, (forgot their names,) three yoke 
cattle, one span horses ; out of provisions and means, and 
have been sick. 

There is no sale for stock nor labor to perform. 

This township is comparatively favorable. 

ALLEN COUNTY. 

At a meeting, held at Humboldt, on the Neosho, Septem- 
ber 4, 1860, Dr. Miller chairman, J. H. Signor secretary, the 
following facts appeared : 

Mr. Stewart, of Cottage Grove township, said that a large 
amount of wheat was sown last fall on the Neosho bottoms, 
and well put in, but not a bushel was realized from it. 
Upon the same ground spring wheat was sown, which also 
failed ; then oats, which failed also ; then Hungarian grass, 
which will produce less than a quarter crop. From thirty 
acres of corn he will not have in all thirty bushels. One 



40 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

neiglibor has forty acres, from -whicli he may get two bushels 
to the acre. Buckwheat was largely sown, but promises 
next to nothing ; upon one-third of an acre, which last year 
yielded one hundred and thirty bushels of potatoes, this 
year he does not expect ten bushels. There are not one 
hundred bushels of old corn in the township : and not a man 
who could give even board for work. No soaking rain has 
fallen for fourteen months past. 

Richard Jackson said, there is not corn enough in my 
neighborhood to bread the people, and they have no money 
to buy it with. Six families near Osage city have left 
because they could get no provisions, and numbers of other 
families would leave if they could. 

B. B. Vining, of Owl Greek, Humboldt township, said that 
he had examined the corn in his neighborhood, and his opin- 
ion was that there may possibly be on an average one bushel 
to the acre. Potatoes are alive, and that is all. Knows of 
families now that are destitute. This morning saw a number 
who were startmg for the East, who had actually no provi- 
sions to take with them for the way. The cattle disease, 
too, has been very bad. One man has lost six head, and 
has fifteen more that are sick. Another neighbor has lost 
three oxen out of four yoke, and had two more then 
sick. And the people generally have no money to pre-empt 
their lands with. 

E.Young, of Humboldt township, said: "I have lived 
Tcvere five years. Last year I raised, on bottom land, forty 
busliels corn to the acre, where this year upon the same 
ground, I shall not get one bushel to the acre." 

Lyman Rliodeb, of Gofi'achique township, said : " I have 
one hundred acres of ground, which has been plowed and 
planted three times this season, to no purpose. First wheat, 
then corn, then turnips — all lost. In four acres planted with 
potatoes, I cannot find the first one. Sorghum is doing 
tolerably well. Last year upon the same ground had forty 
bushels corn to the acre, lu favorable seasons, the land 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 41 

produces as well as Illinois. ' Spanish fever' has carried off 
many cattle in the neighborhood of lola." 

James A. Hunt reported sixty head of cattle as dead and 
dying with " Spanish fever" on Owl creek ; also a suffering 
family of eight persons — six children and the parents, and 
others whom he knows of that will require aid. 

The meeting appointed N. B. Blanton and J. B. Hunt a 
committee to report to Mr. Hyatt on the condition of Hum- 
boldt township. These gentlemen, on the 18th September, 
reported as follows : 

" One hundred families in this township will need seed 
wheat — four bushels to the family, four hundred bushels in 
all ; two bushels of seed corn each, making two hundred 
bushels in all ; the same number of bushels of potatoes ; food 
also will be needed for thirty-five families for eight months ; 
and before the first of April next the number of needy 
families will probably be increased." 

BOUEBON COUNTY. 

At a meeting held on the Little Osage 29th September, 
1860, (W. R. Griffith, from the Marmaton river, neighborhood 
of Fort Scott, chairman; H. Knowles, of the same place, 
secretary,) the following statements were made by citizens 
of Bourbon county : 

Mr. Anderson, farmer, says that he has forty-five acres of 
corn, the best in the township, and it will not average three 
bushels to the acre. In three weeks one-fourth of the people 
of the township will leave ; half that want to go have not 
the means. There is not one dollar to the man in the 
township. 

The chairman said one-fourth of the citizens will ''need 
to buy bread, and will not have money to do it with. 

The secretary confirmed this statement, and thought that 
many will not only suffer, but will perish unless they are 
helped. 



42 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

Mr. Burnett, farmer, corroborated the above as applied to 
his district ; said one-sixth of the population, to his know- 
ledge, will suffer, unless relieved- from abroad. 

Sheriff Moore, of Freedom township, said the corn crop 
is almost a failure. The crops generally in the county are 
a failure. Corn on the bottom lands will not yield five 
bushels to the acre. 

W. Deeds, farmer, of Timberhill, has forty acres of corn, 
which is said to be the best in the county, and will not aver- 
age eight bushels to the acre, and wormy at that. 

John Jane way, farmer, of Mill Creek, Marmaton town- 
ship, says the corn on Mill creek is much worm-eaten. 
AVheat, oats, Hungarian grass, and vegetables, are all a failure. 
Many are leaving the county ; many more have neither 
bread nor the means to get it. 

The above facts are corroborated by the statement of Dr. 
Norman T. Winans, of Bourbon county, near the Allen 
county line, who says that in a tract of land in Allen county, 
embracing about nine hundred persons, where twenty-five 
hundred acres are under cultivation, there are not two hun- 
dred and twenty -five bushels of old corn for seed and sub- 
sistence ; that the present crop will not yield two bushels to 
the acre, and even that is being eaten by the worms. The 
people have exhausted their all in improvements, and have not 
the means to live, and will lose their claims if offered for sale. 
Many have left ; more would have gone, but lack the means. 
Valuable claims are already abandoned. This portion of 
the country has been settled within the last eighteen months. 
To his knowledge, within eight weeks one hundred and sixty 
persons have left the county. 

J. C. Burnett, W. K. Griffith, and Sheriff' Moore were 
appointed a committee to furnish a statement and open a 
correspondence with Thaddeus Hyatt, of New York, to 
obtain relief. 

The census report, it is thought, wiU give to Bourbon 
county four thousand inhabitants. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 43 



WAUBUNSEE COUNTY. 



Harvey's Settlement, September 11, 1860. 
Editors State Record : Will you please publish tlie follow- 
ing statement of facts, reported at an adjourned meeting of 
the citizens of this neighborhood, and unanimously adopted ? 

J. F. Ballard, Secretary. 

To our feUow-citize7is of the neighboring States, greeting: 

Whereas, various rumors have gone forth with respect to 
the existing state of things in connection with the unpreced- 
ented drought now prevailing over our own and the section of 
the country surrounding us, we have deemed it a duty we owe 
ourselves, our families, and others, to make known to you our 
situation with reference thereto, by a plain statement of facts. 

Although we have had occasional showers, there have 
been but three or four sufficient to moisten the ground to a 
greater depth than two inches since the memorable storm of 
the 19th June, 1859. During the summer and the latter part 
of the spring, the ground has been perfectly dry at a depth 
of three or four inches. IIow far downwards has not been 
ascertained — the fact that many forest trees are withering 
and dying, is suggestive. 

In consequence of the small supply of rain, unprecedented, 
probably, in the history of our common country, our crops 
are a total failure ; our wells and springs are dried up, and 
the water in our creeks fast receding and disappearing. 

At the present time, the little corn that has grown, is being 
cut for fodder. In a few days not a stalk will be standing 
in our fields worth the expense of cutting it down. We shall 
not have an ear of corn for seed. 

No spring wheat was sown, and the little that was sown 
in the fall withered and died as the moisture, induced by 
the light snows and frosts of winter, receded. 

In our gardens the effects of the drought have been fatal. 
We may say, nothing, absolutely nothing, has gladdened our 
eyes, or gratified the palate from them. Our peas did not 



44 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

even blossom. Although, tomatoes, cabbages, and other veg- 
etables were watered by our own hands with assiduity and 
care, our labor has been entirely lost. 

A few weeks ago we sowed buckwheat. A few light 
showers which fell soon afterward, revived our hopes, and 
we flattered ourselves that that labor had not been in vain. 
But the same causes which militated against us in our other 
labors, have prevailed against us in this. 

We had hoped, too, that a favorable season might favor 
om' crop of potatoes, a much larger breadth of ground hav- 
ing been appropriated for that purpose than heretofore. But 
that resource has failed us ; everything has failed us but the 
determination to make the very best we can of the future. 
What that has in store for us, is known only to Him who 
•■' tempers the winds to the shorn lamb." 

It is needless for us to appeal to you for help in this time 
of famine. We believe a knowledge of our actual necessities 
will be sufficient to induce those who have " enough and to 
spare," the magnanimous and liberal of more favored parts 
of the country, to help us in this, our time of need. 

We have been induced to take these steps by the assur- 
ance that many of you have expressed a willingness and de- 
su'e to furnish those who, by the famine here, have been de- 
prived of the ordinary resources for obtaining the staff' of 
life with the means of subsistence, until we can again culti- 
vate our fields and obtain sustenance therefrom. 

We will cheerfully submit to any self-denial here, rather 
than leave our homes to become strangers elsewhere. 

Some are already leaving, but the most of us, if we desired 
to do so, cannot. Those conversant with life in a new coun- 
try, need not be reminded of the reason of this. We must 
stay and abide the consequences. 

Allen Hodgson, President. 
J. F. Ballard, Secretary. 

The above is from the Topeka State Record, and fully 
confirms all the other testimony. 



THE DESTITUTTOIir IN KANSAS. 45 

OSAGE COUNTY. 

The condition of this county is very forcibly set forth in 
the following, letter, written to the Lawrence Republican by 
0. H. Sheldon : 

SUPEEIOE, August 21, 1860. 

Editor Eepublicatst : As you have solicited communica- 
tions from the farmers concerning their prospects as to crops, 
I will say that in this county, not one hundred bushels of 
grain has been or will be harvested, excepting corn ; and 
even corn will not bear more than one-eighth of an average 
yield. A large portion of the fields will not even produce 
roasting-ears. I have under cultivation about sixty acres, 
but shall not have over one hundred bushels on the whole. 
Our potato crop, without doubt, is an entire failure. To my 
knowledge, but two persons in the county have old corn for 
sale. One of them refuses to sell, only for family use, which 
is much better than to sell for feed to stock. I hope others 
will follow his example. We shall need all the corn to 
" keep the breath of life in us" during the next year. 

Grass is very light in this portion of the county ; south of 
here, on that portion of the Sac and Fox reserve lately treated 
for, it is more plenty. Those having claims are making 
preparations for putting up a large quantity for sale. Would 
it not be better for them to winter stock on shares? If they 
will not, much of the stock will die, as but few are able to 
buy hay. 

There will be much suffering here this winter for the want 
of food and clothing. Many have struggled for the last five 
years through all the troubles and trials incident to a pio- 
neer's life, expecting to realize the pleasures of a comforta- 
ble home ; but alas ! how sadly they are disappointed ; their 
hopes are forever blasted — their money is gone, their health 
ruined ; they have not fands to return to their friends ; and, 
worse than all, their farms which they have prized so highly 
are soon to fall into the hands of the speculator. 



4G THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

What is to be done for the afflicted I hardly kno-w. I 
have but little faith iu sending agents Bast, for they will 
want, and will take, nearly all they receive for their time 
and trouble. Nearly all the goods that were sent to this set- 
tlement for the poor, were sold to the highest bidder, cash 
down. So the poorest got nothing. 

One half of the mortgages on our lands are held by Le- 
compton Democrats, who have no sympathy for " Black Ee- 
publicans ;" and they are ready and willing to take our lands 
as soon as the law will allow them. If Eastern capitalists 
can be induced to lend us money, at ten per cent, per annum 
interest, to take up our old mortgages with, we might get 
through ; if not, we must struggle on and abide the conse- 
quences. 

The drought of this season may give Kansas a hard name, 
but it should not. It is the first one of the kind that has 
ever happened with us, while it is quite common in the States 
It has convinced me that our soil is better than all other 
soils in standing the drought. "With a drought of half the 
duration in the East,nothing would have grown. It is strange 
that we even have pastures for our stock. 

To those who think of leaving the Territory, let me say 
that produce will be high next year, and if they can stay to 
raise another crop, it is their interest to do so. Times are 
easier East, and if our friends will only help us until we can 
help ourselves, they will save from an inevitable calamity 
many of the poor pioneers who have suffered long in Kansas. 

0. H. S. 

COFFEE COUNTY. 

THE LEROY MEETING. 

At a meeting held at Leroy, Coffee county, September 5, 
1860, Eev. B. Wheat, chairman : 

Dr. Butler stated that many cattle have died of the Texas 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 47 

fever on tlie route of the droves from Texas. ISFo -wheat has 
been raised, and there is but little old corn in the county. 

Elisha Amesdale, miller, said there is not old corn enough 
to do the people for more than two months, if used to feed 
hogs or any other purpose than bread. There is not one 
fourth the fall wheat that should be for seed. It is two dol- 
lars per bushel, and money so scarce that the people cannot 
buy it ; there are not over two hundred and fifty bushels, 
and that of an inferior quality. 

Mr. Johnson, merchant, says the wheat in the country is of 
very poor quality, and the corn will not average five bushels 
to the acre. 

Hiram McMahon says the average will not be five bush- 
els to the acre, and very wormy. One third of the people in 
the neighborhood have left ; there will not be corn fodder 
enough for the cattle. 

Alexander Hamilton, farmer, says the corn will not aver- 
age two bushels to the acre. He has been over the whole 
country. Eighty acres of corn that he planted this year will 
not yield one bushel to the acre. All the corn is much 
damaged by the worm. There are not five thousand bushels 
of old corn in the whole county. If people should use corn 
as they did last year, he is confident that it would not last 
two weeks. The cattle are dying, and their disease is con- 
tagious. There are no potatoes; if rain should come in a 
few days there may be a few turnips ; [none cam.e.'] From 
lands of which he raised sixty bushels to the acre last year, 
he has no corn this year to feed his hogs. His hogs he was 
willing to give away to the destitute, but he would not sell 
them to speculators. 

Elder Wheat (Methodist) was of the opinion that the des- 
titution was not exaggerated ; there was no alternative but 
great suffering or relief. The only green thing that he had 
been able to raise was three cucumbers, and he had planted 
in garden produce, &c., thirty acres. Did not want, himself, 
but felt for others, whom he was unable to relieve— and they 



48 THE DESTITUTION' IN KANSAS. 

were so numerous he liad little hope of any effectual relief 
at all adequate to their necessity. The people were indus- 
trious, but their crops were all failures, and they could only 
look to God and their friends. Mr. Hyatt received his thanks 
for his disinterested benevolence, and through him he would 
appeal for further aid. 

Elder Phillips (Christian preacher) said he had traveled 
twenty-five or thirty miles to-day to look for grass, but found 
none. He confirmed the statements of Elder Wheat, and 
thought Kansas better adapted to stand drought than any of 
the States. 

D. K. Debbie, farmer, said he planted thirty acres of corn ; 
will get about fifty bushels. Sowed twenty acres of field 
wheat ; got nothing. Of twenty-five acres of spring wheat, 
got fifteen bushels. Cutting fodder, it will require one day to 
cut enough for eight head of cattle for two days. More 
than half the people had to borrow money to pre-empt their 
lands, and many others made great sacrifices. He complained 
of the hardship of having to pay for their lauds. 

Much other testimony was given, but all confirming the 
above. 

W. A. Jenkins and Elder B. Wheat were appointed a com- 
mittee to correspond with Mr. Hyatt for relief. 

THE BURLINGTON MEETING. 

At a meeting held at Burlington, Coffee county, September 
6, 1860, Colonel Leonard chairman, B. A. Kingsberry sec- 
retary — 

Mr. Ebenezer Hooper, of Leroy, farmer, said he had sowed 
eighty acres of wheat, and planted thirty of corn ; the chinch- 
bug killed the wheat, the drought and the worm destroyed 
the corn. He also planted potatoes, which would not pro- 
duce anything. There are many persons in this tOAvnship in 
a similar situation. A great majority of the people in this 
county will be destitute of seed next spring. Many families 
are leaving to avoid starvation. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 49 

Clark Fritt, farmer, Neoslio township, lias thirty-two acres 
broken — old ground ; plowed three times and hoed it three 
times, and does not believe there is five bushels of corn fit 
for bread. lie had lost six head of cattle of the Spanish 
fever ; forty hogs must die, as he has no corn to feed them. 
There are not a hundred and fifty bushels of old corn in the 
township ; not wheat enough for seed. His land last year 
produced fifty bushels corn to the acre. Nine families had 
left his neighborhood, and many more would leave if they 
had the means, David Manly started with his familj^ of six 
children, with but $1.50, thirty pounds of fiour and a little 
meal. Mr. Woodworth left with his family and team, having 
no provisions. 

G. N. Simms, Avon township, says he has forty acres un- 
der cultivation, which was broken four years ago ; he planted 
in April and May, and has no corn at all; averaged forty 
bushels to the acre last year. He sowed wheat last fall and 
this spring, but realized only two bushels and a half, and 
unfit for seed at that. One acre of navy beans never blos- 
somed. He will only have a few sweet potatoes, and one- 
third of a crop of sorghum ; of seven acres of buckwheat, 
nothing. 

James A. Grimes of Avon, has about thirty bushels of old 
corn to bread him, 

W. Watrous, of Avon, said that for six miles on Lost 
creek there is not over a hundred and fifty bushels of old 
corn, 

William A, Ela, of Hampden, says he has one hundred 
acres in corn ; will have five bushels to the acre of " corn 
and worms ;" has not found an ear without the worm in it. 
Has travelled through the county, and, bad as Cofifee county 
is, it is better off than many others, especially in the north- 
ern part. Such a drought as they had. in Kansas would 
have killed even the trees in Massachusetts. 

John T, Cox, Ottumwa township, says : In our township 
4 



50 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

the early corn has suffered much. There are about four 
hundred bushels of old corn in the whole township ; no 
money. The people being compelled to pay for their lands, 
many have left the neighborhood. 

Wm. Martindale, Ottumwa township, says wheat crops 
last year and year before averaged forty bushels, and weighed 
sixty-two pounds to the bushel ; but we have no crop this 
year ; he might get five bushels to the acre on forty acres. 

Thomas Arnold, Burlington township, says that he has 
raised, before this year, one hundred bushels to the acre ; he 
will not this year average eight bushels to the acre ; two 
acres of potatoes will produce nothing ; buckwheat has 
wholly failed, and there are not twenty-five bushels of old 
corn in his neighborhood. 

Gen. "Whistler, Burlington, says he has heretofore aver- 
aged fifty bushels of corn to the acre ; this year he may get 
ten bushels from fifty acres, and has worked it better than 
usual. He has known Kansas fifteen years, and never knew 
anything like this drought ; usually, with good cultivation, 
the Neosho bottoms will produce one hundred bushels to the 
acre. There is not sufficient old corn to keep the people of 
the county ; a great many persons are leaving the country 
for want of the necessaries of life. 

Township committees were appointed to make further in- 
vestigations, and report to Thaddeus Hyatt, with a view to 
some relief for the people. 

Note. — It will be observed above that Mr. Cox reports/ow?' 
hundred bushels of old corn in his township of Ottumwa. 
A reference to his subsequent report, [see the Ottumwa 
meeting below,] after a rigid investigation, shows but one 
hundred and tldrty-nine, a worse condition than had been 
supposed. This has been the result of thorough investiga- 
tion everywhere, as appears throughout the testimony. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 51 



THE OTTUMWA MEETING. 

A meeting was held at Ottumwa, Coffee coTinty, September 
6; 1860, Jolin T. Cox cliairman, ^. F. Mills secretary — 

Jesse Kennedy, of California township, said lie had sixty 
acres in corn, which will not average ten bushels to the acre 
Last year he raised forty. Wheat, oats, and potatoes had 
all failed in the county. There is a little old corn in the 
county, which might do some service if divided. Money is 
very scarce ; the people had borrowed money on their lands, 
and will now lose their claims. 

Mr. D, A. Hawkins believed Kansas a better country to 
stand drought than Kentucky, but this year it has been fatal. 
Of twenty-five acres only will he hope for half a crop of 
corn. Potatoes had failed entire. Many of his neighbors' 
crops are not so good as his. Some will find it very hard 
to get through the winter. 

William Brewer, of California township, said his wheat 
and oats both failed, and buckwheat is not good ; the pros- 
pect for crops in the whole country is very slim ; it will be 
a tight rub to feed the people, and but little for stock. 

John M. Singer, California township, says he has got 
ninety acres, tv/enty of which will not produce anything, 
while a portion will yield, at most, fifteen bushels to the 
acre ; all other crops have failed. There will not be corn 
enough to do the neighborhood, and many must suffer ; last 
year he averaged forty bushels to the acre ; there is no grass of 
any kind that will pay for cutting, and there is no corn for 
sale. 

Jacob Hoover, California township, says, last year his 
wheat 3delded forty bushels to the acre ; this year he may get 
twenty ; there is no country where corn can better stand the 
drouofht. 

Much other testimony was given ; after which a committee 
was appointed to make further investigation, and to report 



52 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

to Thadcleus Hyatt. The committee completed their labors, 
and sent their report to Mr. Hyatt, at Atchison, which exhi- 
bits the following, viz : 

Wants of Ottumwa township, as condensed from the report of 
John T. Cox, Esq., made September 15, 1860. 

Whole number of families in township QQ 

Whole number of persons in township 844 

Land paid for — acres 4,180 

Land not paid for — acres 7,020 

Land planted in corn last season 86S^ 

Probable yield in bushels 5,366 

Bushels of old corn on hand 139 

Acres of buckwheat sown this season 77 

Probable yield in bushels 40 

Acres of wheat sown this season 77 

Amount of yield in bushels 16 

Amount of potatoes planted this season 7f 

Number of head of horses to winter 448 

Number of hogs — one third to fatten 688 

Acres of garden this season 12 J 

Value of garden sfuft' — mostly consumed $87 

Amount of cash on hand 70 80 

Amount of seed wheat wanted, in bushels 315 

Amount of seed corn wanted 190 

(A givtitcr amount of corn for seed will be required, as that liaised 
will not be fit for seed. ) 

Amount of seed potatoes wanted in bushels, ^60 

Number of families without money 54 

Number of families without any supply for the coming 

winter 48 

Number of families with half a supply . , 8 

Number of families supplied 10 

There are, in addition this, some twenty young men, who 
have raised no produce, but paid their way by labor. 

The report from California township is very similar, and 
quite as bad as Ottumwa. 

Note. — The condition of this township presents the most 
favorable aspect of any township I found in all my travel. -., 
it having l)een blessed with a fall of about six inches of rain. 



MISCELLANEOUS TESTIMONY, 



AS NOTED IN MY 



THEOUaH THE FAMINE LAND, 

From August 22, to September 15, with Extracts from 

Letters. 



BUTLER, HUNTER, GREENWOOD, MADISON, and 
OTTOE COUNTIES. 

Mr. J. C. Lambdin, in a letter to Judge Arny, from Chel- 
sea, Butler county, September 20, 1860, says that he has 
visited and heard from many families in these counties whose 
destitute condition is truly alarming. Mr. Lambdin con- 
tinues : 

"As to crops in these counties, there are none ; they are 
a complete failure. There will not be twenty bushels of 
corn raised in Butler, Hunter, and Ottoe counties, and 
not exceeding that amount of wheat ; no potatoes ; the 
buckwheat crop is entirely destroyed by grasshoppers. In 
Butler county there are about six hundred inhabitants ; in 
Hunter one hundred, and in Ottoe one hundred and fifty, 
and at least three-fourths of that number are almost destitute 
of money, clothing, and provisions. Very few have more 
stock than can supply their immediate wants. Some, indeed, 
have been deprived of their last cow by a disease that has 
prevailed in this country to some extent, called Spanish 
fever. I found many families that had not more than one 



64 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

bushel of corn meal in the house ; that, with some buffalo 
meat, and the milk they get, composes their daily food. The 
people are in a wretched condition, and unless supplies are 
furnished from some source, much suffering will be the re- 
sult. Most of the settlers have been here over two years ; 
their means are exhausted ; they have nothing. I have tra- 
velled several hundred miles in Southern Kansas, and this 
state of things does not only exist in these counties, but, ac- 
cording to my observation, in all Kansas south of the Kaw 
river." 

Judge Lambdin is senator elect imder the Wyandotte 
constitution. 

There are six or eight families (in Ottoe coimty) of colored 
persons, who have been driven from Arkansas by the law 
compelling " free negroes" to leave the State. They are 
represented as industrious, but now in want, owing to the 
present drought. 

H. T. Hunter, of Madison county, states that he has eight 
acres' of corn, which he thinks may yield fifteen bushels to 
the acre, but very wormy. Wheat through his section is an 
entire failure. There is but little old corn in his township. 
On the Verdigris, the crops are almost an entire failure. Mr. 
B. F. Yanhorn has a large field of corn which he has offered 
to sell for twenty-five cents per acre. There is not corn 
enough in the county to do the people. Population on the 
creeks, about five hundred ; represents their condition as 
deplorable. Many have borrowed money to pre-empt, and 
have mortgaged their claims. 

Myrock Huntley, of same county, from four hundred acres 
planted, will realize nothing but fodder. Corn is a legal 
tender. A few will have bread and water. Many are going 
away. Bread and groceries are needed. 

Judge Graham, of the same county, states that the corn 
crop in his neighborhood may yield ten bushels to the acre, 
but very wormy. Very little old corn in the county ; only 
ten bushels in the mill. If it does not rain in a week [i( 
did not] there will be no potatoes. The population of the 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 55 

county cannot be sustained by tke present crop. Fifty -three 
head of cattle died in a week. 

Thomas A. Hill, of Greenwood county, says there will not 
be a bushel of corn to the acre in Greenwood county. 
Eighty or ninety families have already left, and others would 
go if able. 

Mosely, the celebrated buffalo hunter, reports that the 
waters have ceased to run in the big bend of the Big Arkan- 
sas. He has formerly lived on the Little Arkansas, where 
the destitution became so great, that to the extent of fifteen 
miles square not a white settler remains, and the only 
inhabitant who has not deserted is " Buckner," the negro. 
Mosely, to better his condition, changed to Greenwood 
county, where he is now staying. He says there is, even 
there, not a bushel of corn, as he believes, in the whole 
county. They have no groceries ; no money. The people 
have lost even the seed they planted ; for meat, they are 
depending upon the buffalo ; and to purchase bread, having 
no money, they depend upon wolf skins, the legal tender of 
the country. "Wolf skin," remarked Mosely, quaintly, 
" wolf skin is lawful tender here; and you've got first to catch 
him, at that! " 

John L. Pratt, of Chelsea, Butler county, says there are 
no crops in his county — not a cucumber even. No old corn 
in the county ; not much money ; and what wheat could be 
raised has been used for pre-emption of land. Many per- 
sons were compelled to mortgage their claims, and others 
gave up entirely and left the country. There is 7iot a dollar 
in money to the man. Fifteen townships of land were offered 
for sale at Fort Scott on the 13th of August, and the people 
were compelled to go about one hundred and fifty miles to 
pre-empt their lands. Buffalo meat is a legal tender. There 
is not a grain of old corn on hand on Walnut creek — an 
extent of sixty-five miles — except what has been hauled from 
Cottonwood, a distance of fifty miles. The grasshoppers 
came to that' country in a cloud about two weeks ago, and 



56 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS, 

after destroying tlae corn and the buckwheat, are now eating 
the leaves of the trees. He saw clouds of them in the sky ; 
at that time they came from the northwest. 

Aug. 24. — Met Peter Welsh, from the neighborhood of Fort 
Scott, in the Osage country, who testified as follows : Has 
lived thirty years in this country, and never saw anything 
like this ; has to haul provisions for his family one hundred 
and fifty miles. The Osage Indians have gone to the Buffalo 
country to keep from starving. Chetopee, the chief, 93 years 
old, never knew till this year a want of grass for the ponies 
to live on, and corn has always been raised till this year. 
Unless there is some help for southern and western Kansas, 
it will be depopulated ; homes are vacated ; people are mov- 
ing out ; women have been compelled to cut squashes with 
the bloom on to cook for their children. 

Met five wagons and twenty-four persons from Walnut 
creek, Butler county. William Sherman said he had a good 
place and was well fixed, but could not stay and starve. 
The people are now living on corn bread and corn cofl'ee. 
Last spring he was ofiered seven hundred dollars for his 
improvements ; in order to leave the country, he now sold 
them for a yoke of cattle and a wagon not worth one hun- 
dred dollars. The people have stayed till they have worn 
out all their clothes, and, having nothing to eat, must leave 
or starve. 



EXTEACTS FEOM LETTERS. 

A very intelligent man, in behalf of himself and another 
sufterer, writes from Owl creek, AVoodson county, under 
date of September 14, as follows : 

"Dear Sir: Men under some circumstances, become des- 
perate. * * Men of sensitive feelings would scarcely appeal 
to strangers until the last resort — until hope had well nigh 
fied. We are bold, but it is the boldness that desperation 
gives. * ^' * We ask of you a little money to buy bread. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 57 

You have seen our faces. * * * We must have aid from 
some source. We have raised no crop ; we have no team ; 
not a dollar in money — how can we get away ? S. N. H, 
lost well nigh all by fire. I have lost more than all ! She 
who was the life, the light, the joy and pride of my home; 
who never murmured ; who always welcomed me ; the mother 
of my children ; — she now lies within the clay, sleeps her 
long death-sleep now beneath this Kansas soil! Do not 
repulse us ; do not slight our request. We ask not for our- 
selves, but for our hungry, ragged, motherless, destitute 
children ! We do not wish to heg; we ask it as a loan, nol 
as a pure gift; we are willing to work. Can you aid us ? 
Will you? E.G. 

" P. S. No rain yet. Indeed, rain would do but little good: 
vegetaiio7i is dead! A general exodus seems about to take 
place. Whole neighborhoods — without exaggeration, ivhole 
neiglihorhoods are being deserted ! E. C. 

" N. B. The utterly helpless and the utterly hoggish alone 
remain! E. C." 

The allusion in the above letter, " You have seen our 
faces," refers to the fact that I had met and conversed with 
both these gentlemen about ten days previous. The condi- 
tion of Woodson county, as above depicted, is affirmed by 
the assessor of the county. 

Mr. Condict, having visited every cabin in the county, 
and seen all the people, represents an entire destitution, such 
as prevails in nearly every county of the Territory. lie 
states that the amount of money in Woodson county, as 
verified under oath, would not exceed 07ie dollar per man! 

The Eev. T. P. Killen, in a letter written from Carlylc, 
Allen county, under date of September 19, 1860, and ad- 
dressed to me at Atchison, says : 

" We are truly in the deep waters, and I fear many must 
suffer. We will labor for the best, but I must confess wo 
are at a loss to know how to advise our people. In the 
midst of our troubles to know what we sliall eat and drink, 
the official news of our land sales on the 3d December, cojies 

DOWN UPON us LIKE A THUNDERBOLT I What shall W'r C\o'' 

Will our friends in the East answer the question? "" - - 



58 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

Hoping we will hear from you, and feeling confident tliat 
tlie great and good wlio have plenty will not close tlieir 
ears to the cries of the suffering, I remain, 

Yours, &C., J. P. KiLLEN." 

STORY OF A POOR FAMILY. 

The following story is from my diary of September 9th. 
The simple, touching narrative of this poor family is but a 
picture of thousands, and shows the practical working 
and cruelty of the land sales. The condition of this family 
was brought to my notice by an old man named Bryant, 
who had come over to the Emporia meeting of September 
8th, and called on me at the hotel in order to tell me what 
he knew of the distress in his neighborhood. 

" There's a family near me, named Adams," said Bryant ; 
" a father, mother, and seven children ; but the eldest is 
away from home — jest as good people as any on us; and they 
hevn't a mouthful to eat but what the neighbors gin 'em. 
I've kind o' kept the critters along as well as I could, but I 
can't dew it much longer ; we're on our last bag of flour our- 
selves, and not a dollar in the world to get more. Why, sir, 
people at the East don't know nothin about our situation ! 
they hevn't any idee on it !" and the old man detailed to 'me 
his own history. His speech, his looks, his earnestness, his 
active movements, and everything about him showed him to 
be one of those industrious and thriving men from New Eng- 
land, whose hands are never idle for want of something to 
do. But the trouble, as Bryant represented it, was that 
when he had got his job of blacksmithing done for a neigh- 
bor, the poor neighbor had no means of paying him ! — nei- 
ther money nor provisions ! Continuing his story of the poor 
family, he remarked : "What on airth the poor woman and 
her children are to dew I don't know. I don't see but they 
must starve ! Looks like it." And every muscle of the old 
man's honest countenance expressed more forcibly than his 
earnest words how deeply he felt for them. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 59 



HOW I FOUND THE FAMILY. 



They were living in a little " shake house," a few miles 
from Emporia, in which they had passed the whole of last 
winter. On entering the cabin, its poverty was at once 
apparent. 

Two poor looking beds, an apology for a table, no chairs, 
a miscellaneous trunk, and a broken box which answered 
for a seat, constituted the household furniture entire. A 
yoke of oxen, nine fowls, and three young pigs inventoried 
the wealth of the family. A woman, whose face had evi- 
dently known more beauty and less sorrow, responded to my 
questions. Anxiety, suffering, and want were now plainly 
written upon her countenance, " Eather poor looking walls 
madam," I remarked to her, " to keep out a winter's wind." 
"Yes, sir," she replied, "we find it pretty cold; I pasted 
paper over all the cracks, as well as I could, but the March 
winds blew them off; we had a cold time of it ; but we got 
through." " Your house, madam, has not the appearance of 
very great abundance ; how are you provided for ? How 
much flour have you?" "Not any, sir." " "What groceries?" 
" None ! " " No tea ? " " No, sir." ''Nor coffee nor sugar ?" 
" None, sir ! " " What have you ? " "About a pech of meal:' 

" When this is gone, what then ? " A shade of anxiety 
passed over the poor woman's face as she looked at her chil- 
dren, and I could see that she struggled with her feelings. 
" Well, sir, I don't know." " Have you no means of getting 
anything ? Neither money nor work ? " "As to money, 
sir, my husband may possibly hosYO fifty cents, but not to ex- 
ceed this, and this is all the money we have. As to work, 
there is none to be had ; I have helped along by making 
baskets ;" and here she stooped down and brought out a few 
willow baskets from under the bed, apologizing at the same 
time, for the character of her storehouse ; " these, sir, are 
such as I make and used to sell ; but now, no one wants to 
buy ; it seems like as though no one had any money." 



'60 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS 

" Where is your husband ? " " He is over at his landlord's 
doing a small job of work to pay the rent of this house ! " 
" Then you hire ? " " We are compelled to ; we have NO 
HOME NOW ! " " Had you one ? " " Yes, sir, my husband 
took a very fine claim, and put up a cabin, which we lived 
in for nearly a year, but the land sales came, and loe 
could not pay for the land; my husband knew he could not 
ipsLj/our per cent, a month for money, and so we had to give it 
up ! and now, sir, we are without any home of our own ! " 



The following letter was handed me by Hon. Martin F. 
Conway, member elect to Congress under the Wyandott 
constitution, for such action as I might deem proper. I 
directed immediate, though temporary, relief to be sent the 
sufierers, and submit the letter as one that well describes the 
fate of thousands more in that famine land. 

Black-Jack, Douglas county. Sept. 23, 1860. 

Dear Sir : Necessity has compelled me to appeal to you 
for relief. I would state I have lived here near four years, 
and have had a series of bad luck ever since I have been 
here. I first settled on Indian land ; I did not discover it 
for nearly a whole year ; I lost all that year's labor. I 
moved out on the prairie, and commenced again to open 
another farm ; that year I was sick with the typhoid fever. 
Last year was the first year that I was prospering, but my 
means being exhausted I could not make much headway, 
but calculated that this present year would make all right 
•with us. But alas ! we are mistaken again. My crop is all 
gone ; I have not been able to get any seed from corn, pota- 
toes, or buckwheat, and all garden truck is failed. The Span- 
ish fever has got in among our cattle. I lost two last week — 
one a very fine milch cow, the only cow we had. I have 
used up most of my grain sacks, to make dresses for my 
daughters to hide their nakedness. Oar diet is composed of 
corn meal and water, and it is most all gone. I have been 
sick with the fever the last two weeks, and am not able to 
do a day's work, if there was work to be had. 

This is the condition I am placed in at the approach of 
winter — no work ; not able to work if I had any ; nothing 
to aeU, to procure food and clothing ; no crop ; with a family 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 61 

of a wife and seven children, the oldest twelve years, the 
youngest three months. I, therefore, in behalf of my family, 
appeal to you for relief. 

Hoping you will give this a favorable consideration, I 
remain your humble servant, 

C. B. EicE. 
To Hon. M. F. Conway. 



I also submit the following Appeal of the Highland Pres- 
bytery of Kansas Territory : 

The Presbytery at Highland, in session at W3''andotte 
City, Kansas, desire to make known to the Church and 
friends abroad, as nearly as they can, the wants and destitu- 
tions of our Territory, consequent upon the drought of tlie 
past year. 

Since Kansas has been known by red or white men, she 
has not before, so far as is known, failed to produce abund- 
antly from her rich soil, and to repay largely and bounti- 
fully the labors of the husbandman. This year it has not 
been so. The rains have been withheld, crops have failed, 
and great destitution prevails in parts of our Territory. 

We see, and we recognize the hand of God in this. We 
see his footsteps, we hear his voice, and we would "be still 
and know that he is God." 

With painful interest have we listened to the statements 
made by brethren coming up from all parts of the Territory, 
and we trust that we have now the facts that will enable us 
to make some correct, though very general and very brief 
statements in the case. 

The counties bordering on the Missouri, and some districts 
along the Kansas river and larger streams, are not in a suf- 
fering condition. In most of these districts a half crop has 
been raised, and from some of them something can be spared 
to help the more destitute. 

In the south and west, and on the high prairie lands, 
crops have been, in most cases, entire failures. Nor has it 
been for want of labor and effort on the part of farmers. 
Early in the spring, large fields of spring wheat were sown. 
This failing, the ground was ploughed over and planted in 
corn ; this again failing, the ground was sown in turnips or 
buckwheat ; and this also proved a failure. Many have 
really nothing. Most persons have come to the Territory 
with small means, spent what they had in improving and in 



6^ THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

living, depending on an expected crop to meet the wants of 
the future. 

There is also an alarming destitution of clothing. Wool 
and flax are but little raised here, and not yet manufactured ; 
and men have been depending upon the crops to procure 
these from abroad. Winter is near, and large families may 
be found where there is not a shoe, and scarcely a comforta- 
ble woolen garment for the winter. In this state of things, 
the Presbytery deem it a duty to publish the facts, and address 
them mainly to our own church and people in the States. 
So far as our own church and people are concerned in Kan- 
sas near, one-half of them do not stand in need of any help 
from abroad. The Churches of Carlisle, Wyandotte, Leaven- 
worth, Atchison, Highland, Iowa Point and Lecompton, and 
Lawrence in part, are provided, and some of them can spare 
something for others. The remainder of our Churches, con- 
taining a membership of about two hundred and fiftj^, and a 
connection with perhaps two or three thousand persons, do 
stand greatly in need. Other parties of large means* have, 
as we understand, in view plans to meet, to some extent, the 
wants of the Territory, and it seemed proper in us to make 
a special effort, mainl}'- in behalf of our own people. * * 

We only ask of those who have received largely of God's 
bounties, that they divide us a small portion. And especially 
do we desire that your earnest prayers may accompany j^our 
gifts, that these chastisements, which "for the present may 
seem grievous, may work in us the peaceable fruits of right- 

^'^^^^^^•" J. S. Eeasor, Moderator. 

S. M. Irvin, /Stated Clerk. 

* ^'' Other parties of large means.'''' — My twenty-five days tour, of nearly 
a thousand miles travel, through the Territory, awakened a wide-spread 
hope and a general expectation that speedy relief would in some way 
follow my investigations. I judge that the remark above, -'■ other partus 
of large means^' &c., refers to those expectations. Had the New York 
Tribune been as true to the Kansas of 1860 as it seemed to be to tho 
Kansas of 1856, this reasonable expectation of a starving people would 
have been realized. But my letters to that journal, dated from and 
written in the famine-land, and appealing for the sufferers, were siqjpressed! 
and to this hour its columns that know so well how to thunder, and 
that might have saved, have remained as cold and dead as the speechless 
and livid lips of the starved mothers and perishing babes whom it heart- 
lessly abandons in this their mortal hour of extremity, of agony, and of 
despair. Had it bestowed upon these poor people even one-half the 
attention it gives to a " Heenan and Sayers'' prize fight, hundreds might 
have been saved, who must now inevitably perish before assistance 
can reach them. T. H. 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 63 

From the Washington Intelligencer, July 31, 1860. 

The Drought in the Southwest. — The St. Louis Eve- 
ning News of the 25th instant gives some gloomy accounts 
of the general and disastrous drought that has prevailed over 
the whole South and blasted the hopes of the planting region 
in their corn crops. The News says : 

* * -sf "The southwest portion of our own State is also 
visited, and we have a letter giving a most melancholy ac- 
count of the blasted cornfields in the counties of Benton, 
Polk, St. Clair, Bates, Henry, Hickory, and other counties." 
[These counties border on Southern Kansas.] 



The following I clip from the Philadelphia " Press" of the 
27th instant. How painfully it confirms all that I have 
stated above ! Alas ! hour by hour the accumulating facts 
become more and more terrible. 

"The Great Kansas Famine — Extreme Suffering among the 
Inhabitants — 30,000 People Wanting Food. 

" The Chicago Press and Tribune says : The facts cannot 
longer escape the attention of the most tardy and incredulous, 
that an extraordinary condition of affairs prevails throughout 
a large share of the new Territory of Kansas, where there is 
at present 'a famine in the land,' so general, so inclusive, 
reached by such stages and falling upon a community so 
situated, that it is doubtful whether it has had any parallel 
within the present century. The thrilling descriptions that 
reach us from various and reliable sources, painfully rea- 
lize the most vivid and painful narratives of such visita- 
tions, in Scripture, which we have been to apt to deem well 
nigh impossible to our age of civilization, and certainly 
among our own citizens, on our own soil. Even the great 
famine in Ireland, historic in the tales of suffering and lists 
of generous deeds, whose memory will live in the ])laintive 

" ' Give me three grains of corn, mother,' 

seems to promise to be imsurpassed in the scattered homes 
of a new Territory, unless help speedily reaches them, for 
thousands now suffering for food, to whom November, now 
at hand, will usher in fresh terrors." 

By and by, when the ears of the country shall tingle with 
tales of the dreadful sufferings of our poor Kansas popula- 



64 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

tion, and when the heart of the country shall grow sick with 
the horrors that will then be hourly accumulating upon it, 
the question will be asked in a thousand quarters, Why were 
not these things foreseen in time to avert and to save ? And 
my reply to the country in that hour will be as it now is : 
They loere foreseen ! and they might have been averted ! and 
they would have been, had the NewYork Tribune done its duty, 
I wrote with warmth and with feeling indeed, for who 
could help it under the circumstances ? Take one instance 
or two. As I was writing in my room at Atchison one 
evening, a friend came in, remarking, with much feeling : 
" Hyatt, I begin to say as you did yesterday, 'I would not 
stay sixty days longer in this place, empty handed, to inherit 
a life to come ! ' A poor fellow met me in the street just 
now, and looking me full in the face, says : ' I've got to break 
into some store to-night ! my family have'nt a mouthful of 
food, and I can't let them starve ! ' " And my friend con- 
tinuing, said : " Hyatt, I am growing sicker and sicker every 
hour." And then he told me of a poor man who had walked 
ninety miles from the back country to reach Atchison, beg- 
ging a night's lodging and a meal's victuals on the way ; got 
a few dollars together at Atchison by a few days work ; pur- 
chased provisions with it for his starving family, and then, 
with the provisions on his back, walked ninety miles to save 
them from perishing ! 

Another case that he brought to my notice was that of a 
poor family at Winthrop, opposite Atchison : two dead chil- 
dren in the cabin, another sick, and the father and mother 
both down with fever at the same time ! This, not as the 
direct consequences of starving, but resultant effects from 
hardships and want, following loss of crops ! 

I may as well say, right here, that the friend alluded to 
above is General S. 0. Pomeroy^ of Atchison, who, with 
Judge Arnjr, of Hyatt, accompanied me through the whole 
tour. These friends are generously devoting all their time 
and energies now to the suflering : the former at Atchison 
receives and forwards to the needy whatever aid my friend 
Arny may succeed in getting at the "West, or I may possibly 
secure by personal exertions at the East. 



Coucliiding Appeal to President Buchanan. 



I think your Excellency will not regard as out of place an 
explanatory word here touching the origin of this present 
movement of the undersigned in behalf of Kansas. My 
connection with Kansas affairs in 1856 (which was purely 
moral) had given me too clear an insight into the condition 
of that noble and brave, but unfortunate people^ to permit 
any apathy on my part under so burning an appeal as is 
contained in the following : 

From the Washington Intelligencer, August 6, 1860. 

The Drought in Kansas. — "We have had frequent re- 
ports within a few months of the terrible drought prevailing 
intlie Territory of Kansas, more particularlj^ in the southern 
section. For nearly or quite a year there has but little rain 
fallen in the Territory, and in southern Kansas it is stated 
that not more than four or five inches of rain have fallen 
during the year. The consequence is there will be no crop, 
and how the people of that unfortunate section of country 
are to be fed during the coming winter becomes a question 
of the gravest importance. A letter from Mound City, 
dated July 7th, j^ublished in the New York Tribune, says : 
"Our corn is near or quite dead ; our grass for hay is en- 
tirely out of the question, for there is none ; the hot sun has; 
entirely destroyed it." The letter speaks almost bittci^ly of 
the impending ruin starmg the people in the face. It says : 

"Hear me tell God's truth. As I write in my house the 
wind Haps over me ; the sun heats it so that the wind almost 
burns me ; my wife is now roasting eggs on the stone steps 
in front of my house ; the stove and tin boiler are too hot to. 
bear my hands on them, standing in the house where the 
sun cannot touch them ; they are hot by the wind blowing on 
them through the open door. Why, every flap of the wind 
is like the heat of fire from a burning building. I have just 



()Q THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

shut the door to keep the hot wind from blowing on me, so 
that I can write. To say that it has not rained for twelve 
months would not be telling the truth ; but to say that not 
more than four or five inches of rain had fallen in that time 
would be nearly or quite true. Now, for God's sake, what 
are the people to do ? We can't stay here without food for 
ourselves or cattle." 

I 

The letter here quoted was written by Mr. Stillwell, who 

lives on Mine Creek, in Linn county, and whom, when there 
in August, I saw and conversed with. The fearful picture 
drawn by this gentleman in the above, is fully confirmed by 
the reports embraced in Professor Henry's letter, as well as 
by testimony at the Mound City meeting herein above 
recorded. I read Mr. Stillwell 's letter as soon as published 
my heart burned. He alluded to the help once vouchsafed 
to famine-stricken Ireland, and asked imploringly if some 
" good Samaritan from the East " would not have compassion 
on the perishing people of Kansas. I looked for some one 
to start — but none went : so leaving all, I said I must go_ 
Though I have not means sufiicient to relieve so wide-spread 
a calamity, I will at least explore and report. The country 
cannot fail to listen : the heart of the country will surely 
respond. I did not doubt that the press of the country 
would heartily co-operate. I went to Kansas. I traversed 
its burnt-up prairies ; I crossed its dried- up streams ; I saw 
where great rivers had shrunk to stagnant pools ; I saw 
expiring fishes in the shallow waters, par-boiling under the 
scorching heavens ; I felt the hot breath of the siroccos ; I 
cooled my temples with wet compresses, as day after day I 
rode through the flooding heats of the glaring sun. The 
people gathered ; they saw hope in the fact that the country 
was to be appealed to ; they took courage ; some who were 
preparing to leave, reconsidered and remained, believing now 
that help would surely come. I traveled by day and wrote 
letters by night. I mailed the letters to the New York 
Tribune, thinking thus to introduce to the press generally 



THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 67 

and tlirough them to the country, a knowledge of the fearful 
things I had been eye-witness to. 

I was ill when I started, but worse when I returned, for the 
2m::ss of the country was silent/ Only one of my letters had 
been permitted to see the light ! My " Appeal " was entirely 
suppressed. As its stjde did not differ materially from many 
I had written in 1856, this certainly could not have caused 
its suppression. From Atchison (to which place I returned 
again from the tour) I sent telegram after telegram to New 
York to know why Kansas received no attention. Having 
myself in 1856 acted in good faith for a suffering people, I 
had never credited the partizan charges of a contrary nature 
against a rival party, I had regarded the party advantages 
and disadvantages of that struggle as mere incidents ; and I 
had gone into it, as I would to-day enlist under Garibaldi, 
purely in behalf of liberty, striking only for great principles; 
for humanity only ; not for party. Naturally enough, then, 
I. looked for the same co-operation and for the same earnest- 
ness, and to the same quarters. I beg your Excellency to 
contrast the files of the N. Y. Tribune for August, Septem- 
ber and October of 1856, with the Tribune of August, Sep- 
tember, and October, 1860. And my purpose in this expose, 
at this time, and in this way, is that your Excellency may 
realize, as I ek) with a sick heart, how utterly abandoned the 
wretched people in Kansas are at this trying and terrible 
hour, with a cold winter just upon them. My purpose is to 
induce the Executive of this nation to adopt some plan for 
the relief of a starving people, additional to the mere post- 
ponement of the land sales ; for even this postponement will 
not put bread in their mouths. 

Seeing that the press of the country will do nothing effect- 
ual for them at this fearful crisis ; seeing that only extraor- 
dinary remedies can reach so extraordinary a case, I come 
to your Excellency as the proper source, and ask for some 
official action, I care not what it is, so that speedy relief may 



68 THE DESTITUTION IN KANSAS. 

reach a multitude of starving American citizens, even thouga 
they cannot vote. 

Your Excellency can surely get these dreadful facts before 
the country in a way to awaken sympathy, and insure aid, 
though I am powerless to do it. And this is my prayer. 

But if the Executive of this great nation should, in his 
better judgment and broader knowledge, see no way for him 
to succeed where an humble citizen has failed, I shall then 
have but one resource left ; I can make only one effort more. 
But this I must make, for having moved thus far and awak- 
ened the expectations of the starving, it is impossible that I 
should now desert them until the last promise has faded 
from the heavens ; until my own heart with theirs has utterly 
died out. One last hope remains : it is that the people of 
another Government, and in another hemisphere, may take 
compassion upon starving Americans, as in former years of 
misfortune Americans took compassion upon them. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, yours, 

THADDEUS HYATT. 



SUPPLEMENTAL TESTIMONY. 



Since the foregoing was presented to tlie President, I have 
received numerous letters from the Territory, confirming 
everything hereinbefore stated. Under date of November 
21, General Pomeroy says, " The cries of distress are in- 
creasing /" November 27, he says, " Hundreds of men from 
the South have told me that ' if it had not been for your 
early efibrts, scores would even now have seen and felt star- 
vation !' You have thus far furnished me with more money 
than all the country beside I What does it mean ?" 

I submit, also, the following 



EXTEACTS FEOM LETTEKS. 

From Letter of General Pomeroy, dated October 31. 

" I have got a notice to-day of two mm-e car-loads contributed by our 
friends in Illinois, They are in dead earnest! and, with an overflowing 
heart, I still hardly know how suitably to thank them! 

" I have not had a dollar to pay freights with, as I have expended all 
of that $100.00, and more, in buying sacks. I have sent 1,750 sacks to 
Illinois. They cost, you know, !$15.00 per hundred. 

" Our reports come in in the same style. All the outside organizations 
are coming into our organization.'''' 



From Letter of Judge Arny, dated Oct. 29. 
"The people of Illinois have produce, and will give it, but cannot 
furnish the means to buy sacks, and pay freights. We are now in a 
good shape to receive produce, and have arrangments with the railroads, 
by which produce that may be sent will get here at low rates." 



Thaddeus Hyatt, Esa., Dear Sir : I am sorry to learn that certain 
reports have been circulated east, through the newspapers, that we are 
not in want of aid from abroad. 

The facts, so far as I am acquainted, (and I preach in the M. E. 
Church, and have this county for ray circuit,) are distressing. Scores 
of families have raised nothing, and have nothing to fall back upon, 
and are now waiting in anxious suspense, for the expected aid from you, 
not only in food, but in clothi7ig. What little corn there is, is not fit for 
bread on account of the worm. 

There are daily callers at our town, enquiring, in anxious solicitude, 
what you are doing, and to know if anything can be done to help tnem 
in their present extremity. Hundreds of families will have to leave unless 



help comes soon, and others are not able to leave. Without help, they must 
starve and freeze, for want of food and clothing. 

Jno. Hawlet, 
Marmaton, Oct. 14, 1860. Pastor in charge. 

"WlNTHROP, (opposite Atchison,) Mo., > 
OcLoher 20, 1860. | 

Mr. Hyatt, My dear Sir: Mr. Burdict, of Knoxville, Illinois, has just 
come over with a car-load of potatoes and corn, and says if we will pay 
freights, he wUl send twenty-five car-loads next week. He is very much 
pleased at the complete organization you made of the territory ; says he could 
not get so much information in one month as I was able to give him in a day, 
from the statistics already on hand. 

We are now distressed for money to pay freights. I shall have fifty car- 
loads in a week to pay for. Tndy, S, C. Pomeroy. 



Atchison, Oct. 22. 

Dear Hyatt : Your letter from Washington is received ; also your tele- 
gram. Elinois has already begun to send in car-load after car-load of pota- 
toes and corn to me, and I am left to pay freights. I have no doubt, from 
the way it comes in, that Arny and I could get, in IlHnois, a million bushels 
contributed in one month ; but it takes money to pay for freights, and buy 
sacks. I have to-day sent 500 sacks to Illinois, to be filled. The work, 
thank God ! has commenced ! 

As I have to-night answered fifty letters for you, which are coming in from 
all parts of the distressed territory, you must excuse me from further writ- 
ing. Arny has gone South. I expect him here in a day or two, on his way 
to Illinois. 

The way we have organized this territory is complete, and now surprises 
every one I There was a divinity in that ! 

Yours truly, S. C. Pomeroy. 



Atchison, Oct. 12, 1860. 

My dear Hyatt : And still they come ! Wagon after wagon ! drove 
after drove ! The scene you saw is continued, — repeated, day by day. I 
have become hardened to sights and sounds that would have once made me 
shudder. To-day, as many as twelve families have applied to me for aid. 

Something must be done ; our people, unless aided, will starve. The 
amount you left wdl all be gone within ten days, and yet no family has had 
over one small sack of meal. The amount wUl be distributed chiefly, in An- 
derson, Linn, Breckenridge, and Shawnee counties. 

The system we have adopted puts every bushel into the hands of the 
poor ; and not one ounce is detained for incidental expenses. The men who 
haul the meal have their pay in meal to support them, and the balance is 
put into the hands of the committees who were raised in your presence mostly, 
or in consequence of your visit ; and they distribute, free of charge. 

I can do nothing but attend to this business, while the poor are unfed. 
1 Truly, S. C. Pomeroy. 

Atchison, Oct. 10. 

Dear Hyatt : To-day, like yesterday, is full of sad reports. A man by 

the name of Budd came over from Grasshopper Falls, begging for work. 

Said he left at home a wife and four children, with only a hau bushel of 

meal in the world, and no money to buy more ! He did not wish a gift, so I 



loaned liim one bushel of your meal, and he took it joyfully upon his back, to 
walk with it 26 miles ! 

Another man with a good span of horses, begged work at a dollar a day for 
himself and team ! I have encouraged numbers to start off after buffalo 
meat (Seward's " surplus cattle I ") but have had to give them some meal for 
bread on the way. If I had not bought that lot of old corn with your 
money, I should now have been obliged to see and hear all this distress, with- 
out the means of relieving it. But I can make these poor people no prom- 
ises for the future. I tell them you furnished what little I have now to be- 
stow, and you have gone East, to see if others will combine their efforts 
with yours. Thousands of God's poor are to-night asking God's blessing 
upon you, and hoping you will be abundantly successful ; but be assured that 
not less than 500,000 bushels of corn will meet the demands of this winter, 
the freights and carriage alone on which will cost $150,000 ! You see the 
work of relief is a great work ; and well may you say, " Who is sufficient 
for these things ? " I should despair, but for the fact that our people have 
responded once and again. Even the voice of Ireland was not left to pass 
unheeded ; and the hands of our brethren shall not be stretched out in vain. 

Your friend Judge Hoagland has written me a letter of the same character 
as the one he wrote you, and which you sent to the N. Y. Tribune. • 

out more gloomy and aesponding. 

Mrs. Pomeroy rode out 10 miles west to-day, and reports some destitution 
in near prospect. Mr. Servoss — an excellent man from New York, whom 
we have known for years, and who suffered much during " border-ruflian " 
times, and never desponded — has a family, but all his large fields of corn 
have not yielded one bushel. He will have about 20 bushels of late potatoes, 
and some squashes, and that is the tvinter supply of a family who are every 
way worthy, of good moral and religious character, and have been distin- 
guished for industry and temperance. 

A local Methodist preacher in the same neighborhood has nine children, 
and all barefooted and destitute. But the good mother of thie family said, 
" she would not beg until she saw they must die I " She will resort to every 
expedient, and " eat the bread of carefulness." Oh, how I feel to see little 
white-headed healthy boys like those asking for cornbread, or some " mush 
and milk," and think of nothing better, and yet hear the mother say they 
" had not a week's provision in the world." 

These cases are occurring in this section of Kansas, where I told you they 
could get along loithout aid. What shall we hear when the Committee come 
up from Humboldt, Le Roy, ]\Iound City, &c. &c. Even the papers at 
Leavenworth, that ridiculed your early effort, begin to be alarmed, and say 
" something must be done ! " Oh, I dread this long, dreary, despairing winter ! 
But 1 7nust not, I will not leave, unless it be only for a few days to get aid for 
others. I shall be obliged to part with the last dollar I can raise, or see 
those who are coming to me for help actually die. How can I do otherwise 
but encourage them by dividing amongst them the cornmeal on hand, and 
bidding them trust God, and be of good cheer. 

It has done a world of good to make the beginning you made by the few 
hundred bushels of corn you bought. They see the beginning of what they 
hope will be increased. No one family has even asked for more than one 
dollar's worth. 

I arn hoping to hear from you. I know we have no truer friends than 
those in Boston. They have done nobly in the past, and I feel great reluc- 
tance in asking them for more. 

Truly yours, S. C. Pomerot 



Under date of October 9, General Pomeroy thus feelingly 
gives a word-painting of suffering in Kansas : 

My Dear Hyatt : " My ear is pained, my heart is sick, witli every 
day's report." To-day we buried another of those dear little children 
of Mr. Johnson's, making three since I took the family in charge, while 
you were here. The father is now able to walk about. He came over 
this evening for a sack of meal; said they ate the last bite in the house 
for breakfast. I offered him some food, but he declined, saying "he 
wanted nothing but to eat a morsel now with his broken family.'' Oh, 
what a desolate household ! " Simeon is not, Benjamin is not," and to- 
day Joseph is taken away. They were obliged to watch their dear child 
through all the long hours of last night without a candle or a lamp, un 
til, toward morning, the remnant of a wasted moon shone in upon them 
and revealed the dying image of their love. By moonlight they received 
his sad farewell, and closed forever his sparkling eyes. To-day we com- 
mitted him to the long sleep of the grave, thankful that one poor boy, 
heired to misfortune, has in the sweet autumn gone to the belter land in 
season to escape this awful winter. I have supplied the family out of 
your meal for the present. As soon as he is able to work, the afflicted 
man will get some employment, which seems to be the height of his 
desire. 

The poor fellow who "walked thirty miles," and carried provisions 
for his family on his back, has obtained work and is doing well. The 
whole family seem so happy to get here, where they " can get corn bread 
enough to eat." It surprised me to hear the mother say " she never 
would complain if she could have enough corn bread and water." * * * 
God only knows what we are to do! As yet nothing has reached the 
mouths of our poor people but the two hundred dollars worth of provis- 
ions you sent to Anderson county, and the two hundred dollars worth 
you left here. But all who have anything are now, with commendable 
liberality, beginning to divide with their poorer neighbors. This, how- 
ever, is oily the 9th day of October ! My God ! what will become of 
us in January, February, March, and even until June ! " If these things 
are done in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" 

Numerous letters addressed to you from the Southern section of the 
Territory arrive daily, all of which I reply to for you. They are all of 
the same general character — "out of provisions! out of work! no 
money ! land sales ordered December third! " then they lose all ! 

I tell you, Hyatt, the burning chambers of the dread hereafter have no 
wrath too hot, no flames too scorching, no serpents too undying, for the 
despairing gaze of him who coldly, and for no purpose but vindictive^iess, 
turns the poor out of doors, and robs the laborer of his homestead. 

I shall always be anxious to hear from you, and breathless until I 
know of your success. Truly yours, S. C Pomeroy. 

*This family were brought to want proximately by the failure of their wops; disease 
followed destitution. When I was at Atcliison, the whole family were down with fever, 
pare]its and children, all together. T. H. 

Under date of November 4, Gen. Pomeroy thus writes : 
" This is Saturday night late. I have not yet left my office ; and such 
a day as this has been! Thirty-two applications for aid! Two young 
ladies, not over eighteen years of age, came a long way to see what 
could be done for their little brothers and sisiers at home ; one of them 
said she had never known sorrow until now. ' I can stand anything,' 
said she, ' but hunger P " 






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